Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 635 - Hades Moving On

"You have grown weak, my Lord." Said Irina gently, passing her hands through my hair. "A Peak Mid God is nothing in the grand scheme of things."

"It varies," I defended, a little embarrassed, taking her hand that caressed my cheek away, "Within the Underworld, my power stands within the Ranks of Elder God, as most Gods like me remain in their lairs. Zariel stole a lot more than he had let on."

Shaking my head pulsing in anguish, faded memories seemed to sear their way into my mind and cloud my vision. I could see so many things: Wars, Chaos Lords, Blood Lords, Even the void between this one and the next, the Bridge of Heavens' End.

"There was a weapon. Many weapons, in fact, where are they?" I painfully asked, clenching my head.

Irina grew silent for a moment. Noticing her silence, I opened my mouth to speak but was beaten to the punch by Irina, who spoke out hesitantly. "It's on the Black Isle of Sellen. But I must warn against it. Zariel and Aurelia left hordes of Relics of Power. Some being so powerful, I suspect he placed hundreds of traps along the way. Especially with that trickster helping him."

"The Trickster?" I remarked, unsure of who she spoke of.

"Aurelia Morningstar, of course. The Devils spawn." Irina grimly declared, spinning around; she turned her back to me and lowered her head, "Even we dare not approach that Chamber of Serpents."

"Why didn't they take it with them?" I asked, but Irina merely chuckled.

"It seems your memory has yet to return." She remarked, flashing me a look that made my heart shutter. "Its because all those weapons hidden away are relics from the Greater dimensions. Most of these Relics were so powerful that many chaos lords feared them, as their power was simply too great. What better way to conceal a weapon than to throw it into a realm where no man can ascend, a no Myriad God can enter. These foreign Lord cast away these weapons and branded them to this land."

"I see. Although I find it odd, I would hide such a valuable chamber where I keep my wine." I joked, chuckling at my foolishness. "Where are my daughter and Baphomet?" I asked, having already noticed, I was alone.

"Awaiting you. That Baphomet is interesting. I don't think I had the honor of meeting such a name. It must have been a recent change. I guest the Real Baphomet wanted to take part in the chaos. A foolish demon, that one is, but they can wait. Your Generals are awaiting you." She said, taking ahold of my hand.

"Oh, before I forget. If you don't wish to be forced out of reality, you must block those memories. So was the deal. If one of the legacies should regain their memories and awaken with knowledge of past events, they will be forced to ascend." She told as everything swirled.

Appearing once more in an overly familiar chamber room of my castle. My fingers ritually ran over the desk that sat near me, like it had done so many times.

There was an absence of dust, but I could feel the years that had passed over these walls. "Come, my Lord, my brothers, and sister have waited long enough. Seven Knights, Seven Lords, and Seven Generals await your command."

Opening the door to my chamber. An indescribable sensation ran over me. Broken and without memory. Was I even worthy to meet them as I am now? Do they not deserve better? I hated this feeling.

"Master?" Said Irina.

Gritting my teeth, I lowered my head, but as I did, a surge of power, of pure yet dark Arcana, ran over me, drowning my mind in untamed power. My arms had begun to shake, and pain so great exploded inside me; everything went black.

...

...

...

As I opened my eyes, a me that was not me stood before twenty-one men and women all on one knee. Their faces were wet with tears, but their backs stood straight like a spear. Not lowering their head, those that I had named and granted power cuffed their arms in unison.

"MASTER!"

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...

Coming to once more, I stood under the shade of darkness, peering up at the moon. Near me laid, Irina, bearing a bitter-sweet smile, "Are you sure of this Hades?"

"Sure of what?" I faintly asked, still a little unsure what was going on. Knowing I had both returned and didn't.

Irina's shoulder trembled, and she lowered her head, "N-N-Nothing, my Lord. I will follow your orders. I am only glad we had one final meeting with you. This single year with you was grand. I will always remember this." She explained, but as I gazed at her teary face, I knew she was not speaking of me. "I thank you for this moment once more, Oblivion."

"Irina?" I called, unsure why my tone seemed so fragile.

"My Lord, the Lands of Oblivion will open once more, but it must have a leader. I know you will not take the throne. We only hope to see you ascend sooner than later. Oh, and when you see, Nyx, tell her I will not lose." She cried as her body turned into an endless stream of azure embers that fluttered about over the Land of Oblivion.

Standing emptily, a bitterness slowly filled me, "Two women... Dear God, I am dead. Very dead."

Groaning at the madness that would ensue from Nyx, I sighed. Arching my head up to the moon, I peered towards the shadow of Rense Loren, a ways away.

"Once I return, I will help Nyx recover her memories, and we will ascend. We have done enough for the Snow family. Now its time for me to leave. We are owed that much.." I remarked, arching my head past the moon, towards the hidden force protecting this land.