Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Now leave. Less you wish the war to plunge further into chaos. To my knowledge, the Laws of Concordance have yet to be completed." Duke Gusion said, his tone dark and his eyes tranquil. Far too serene for one of his position.

My teeth grinded against one another, filling my mouth with the bitter copper taste of blood. "WHERE–IS–SHE" I howled, staying true to my name as the angel of vengeance, the ruined realm of Alos began to shiver, as did the very solar system. My brothers, my sisters! In one fell swoop. My brethren before my eyes were wiped away, most of their bodies shattering into stardust that would forever span the vast expanse.

It was sickening.

The Keeper of Time glanced up at the debris of our Planetary Destroyers, 7HC, Heavens Cross, raining over the ruined city below. There was no expression, as he appeared to take no pleasure if any should be had. He was cold, bordering indifferent if he had not touched upon it already.

He waved, and the debris of blazing fire parted around him, and his eyes settled once more on me. "I am leaving you an out, Seraphina. You will do well to take it."

'An out? From a devil?' I repeated in contempt, anger filling my heart that even my very arms turned numb with rage, and my bloodlust swirled through my soul, staining it. I was to be pure. To be above such things, to never let such things get to me.

But.

It was the second time, the second time I saw my brethren slaughtered like this. Their limbs floating aimlessly through the confines of dead space, their broken cries ringing in my soul, and their tear-filled eyes as we all looked at all that was lost. The blood of my kin had stained this land, stained the Bed of Chaos. I swear I will kill Arsene and Lilith Snow. What do they hope to achieve by siding with the devils? Why can't they side with the Light? Those of the Material Plane, the Primeworld, was born not with evil in their heart but without sin. Even that Devil of a man, Arsene Snow, should be able to see that. With the Devil's rule, none shall be able to exist. It will be chaos. Only with Order, True, Absolute Order, can we wash away sin.

"How you have fallen," Duke Gusion interrupted, "A demon you have become. Attack Seraphina, we will meet the challenge. It will be a lesson to the Devils watching." He glanced down at scarlet eyes, smiling, "I wish them to see that even the Highest of Angels like you can be tainted by the sin."

My heart seized, and the image of Asura resounded in my heart once more. 'Tell me, Seraphina, if they don't save the soul of creation anymore but rather bring about their destruction. How are you any different from a demon?' He had told me with pooling dark eyes.

I clenched my fist, holding it tightly to my chest. A sharp pain stabbed at my soul. The blood of my kin was not even dried, much less cold, yet, I was about to taint their sacrifice. Taint them like the devils did the dead. He was right. Asura Bloodgrave was right. We, as a whole, are losing our path.

My breath evened, but my anger remained. Such rage would not be quelled, not now, maybe not ever, but I must not let it guide my actions. The Sins are the Devil's weapons.

"We are retreat–"

Blood washed over my eyes as the arm of Duke Gusion shot high in the air. Staining my face red, I stood in shock, tilting my head mechanically as I gazed at my elder brother with fury written over his expression. His golden hair fluttered ferociously through the confines of Alos. Gripping his sword of Sacred Flames, he growled.

"There shall be no retreat, my sister! We will destroy that blasted gate!" He thundered, shaking the solar system with bloodlust; I knew all too well.

Was…that me?

Turning my head back to the serene Duke Gusion, who had not flinched even as his arm was severed from his body, the Keeper of Time clenched his right arm over the charred flesh of his missing limb and slowly ran his hand down.

Watching in amazement as his arm reappeared attached, his poised expression chilled. "So it shall be war. How narrow sited." He remarked so calmly I felt something off. Opening the very arm that was severed, a tarnished black halbert slowly appeared, distorting reality.

"Duke Berith, it's time for you to show your former king that your bloodline still carries the potential of King," he coolly informed, shaking our souls, as we knew the terror of Bael's bloodline very well. If not for Azazel's intervention from the Higher Heavens, Bael would still be a king.

It was always a game to the Fallens of Hell, same with the devils and Demons. They toyed and bullied without end. It was sick. Bael's fall was proof of that. Why have a King of Hell when you could have a Fallen of Heaven? Even if this version of Azazel is not a Fallen in this Heaven. His presence shows that any of the Kings of Hell could be replaced at any given moment. The Fallen were ruthless and the true Lords of Hell.

"Quite so. Forgive my tardiness." A soft, almost ethereal voice sounded, filling the void. The Sigil of Bael sprang into the air, stirring my heart, casting the realm in red. Horror filled our hearts as two humanoids whipped over the horizon. Piercing towards us, my eyes ignored the Prince of Hell, landing on the duke, holding onto a small pastry.

He appeared quite young and handsome, a bit similar to Arsene, with snow-white hair, piercing red eyes, and a childlike smile, but even as I gazed at him, there was something in me telling me to flee, screaming to me, not to ingage, this Devil.

"Seraphina, is it? And you." He pointed towards Casteel, my fellow equal, and frowned, piercing a small scarlet fork down into the cupcake in hand. "Who are you mate? You seem stronger than Sera. Hmm, want some Red Velvet? There was a nice place near the capital. I got some for you too, Gusion."

"Later," The Keeper of Time responded, his tone a little intrigued for the first time. "Shall we get this over with?"

"Finally!" Said Seir, releasing a bitter yawn. He gave a loose smile, surveying me with quaint surprise, "You have changed. How the mighty have fallen, eh? Berith and I have this deal. Who will be the first to fall. My money is on you, Sera.. The Fiery Wings of Heaven, the Arcangel of Vengeance.