"Think we'll survive?" Adrian softly asked, near my side.
Glaring at the oncoming storm swallowing the horizon in a mist of destruction, I paled, resting over the statue of the Goddess of Light situated on the hull of the ship.
Unease had splintered my thought at the sight of the crackling storm we were sailing towards.
Life below the water had already diminished the closer we approached, leaving only some of the most primordial beasts to mindlessly hunt or cower.
"I have no idea," I replied, grimacing at the fact that I wasn't playing with Tene at this moment. She is all but tenderized. Ready to be cooked.
"There's something else, Master," Adrian said hesitantly, with a slight hiccup in his voice.
Drawn by the uncertainty, a large smile appeared on my lips. " Don't tell me! You got Kuro pregnant! Thank God! I thought you were going to be an Incel or some celibate weirdo. I think they call them monks or priests."
"Incel? What the hell is that? No. I or I mean we are getting hungry."
Adrian's words were like a truck to my chest; with Truck-Kun at the helm, this was the worse possible start. The world was becoming so elevated that we needed to eat, just like in the Abyss.
"Lily, how long. Give me an actual number."
Lili was silent for a bit before speaking aloud, startling Adrian, as this was the first time hearing Lili."Mephisto or some other God might have accelerated the change. In a week, maybe less, this world will jump to a higher…."
"That is correct." A fiendish voice said, startling me as I turned to the smiling Mephisto rustling the hair of Adrian.
"Disciple." Mephisto casually said, "Great Disciple." he soon added with a cheerful grin. "Why don't you leave us? Your Master and I need to share some words."
Adrian showed no hesitation as he dipped without the slightest concern for me. Making me quite proud. It's about time he started acting like an asshole. Let's hope he can keep that up.
"Your smiling. Thought you hated the boy?"
"There are a selected few I hate, Mephisto. But he is not one of them." I responded as the hull crashed through a wave. Sea water splashed over our bodies, leaving only the icy breeze against our flesh.
"So? You hear about the Pale Lord?"
"Her? Naw. She isn't interesting enough to keep my attention. You can accept the deal in my stead. I'll help her out. But it's mainly out of boredom." Mephisto said, squatting in the Lotus position. He smiled. "Maybe I'll change my mind later. But causing a bit of chaos for no reason seems fun."
"You sound like Loki. Or maybe he sounds like you."
"He is one of my people. Tricksters tend to stick together, which is why I'm here. Disciple, I need you to be a Chaos Lord. OH, don't give me that look." The fallen derisively said. 'If there is one concept in the Myriad Heavens, it is being a Chaos Lord. In a week, the Fourth Heaven will fuse into the fifth."
'..."
"..."
My mind fell blank as my heart trembled. "Fuse?"
The dark lord nodded, arching his lips into a haughty smile. "Yes. I plan for all thirty-three heavens to join. However, we might only get to ten before we find the path. It's a shame I'd like to suck all life in the thirty-three heavens away. And recreate it. I was so young back then. I feel like I can remake Creation a little better this time. This might be a new project for me to kill time."
"... Are…" I paused, unsure of the words about to leave me. " Are you allowed to do that? Isn't there some rule of sorts?"
"Rules? Arsene's rules aren't absolute. If they were, Zariel would be dead. Lucifer would be dead, so would Aurelia, and you for that matter. These rules exist due to bureaucracy to create peace among the Myriad Heavens. And they only work because we Fallen allow them. There are more evil people than there are good."
"Some would argue everyone is born good."
Mephisto smirked. "Good? Fucking philosophers. The best way to put it is that they are born neutral. Born with an ignorance that forces them to mimic society. If society is kind, they'll be kind. If it's hard, they'll be cruel. But we aren't here to talk about Philosophy. Not without getting high."
"You smoke?"
"I try not to. It disrupts my plans. Although your brother is quite a fan."
"I remember. Bastard still struggling with demons?" I asked.
Mephisto's smile slipped. "I regret that one. Tunnel vision got the best of me. And I broke Zariel in Hell. It was a good break. But I do have some regrets."
"No, you don't." I coldly said. " We don't feel regret."
He faintly shook his head. "I thought so too. But… Oh, never mind. Where were we?"
"Chaos Lord." I begrudgingly reminded him, unsure of the hesitation he felt.
"Yes. Chaos Lords are quite high-tier monsters, and the reason it's not a list of battle prowess is because it's more of a way of life. When you become a Chaos Lord, it doesn't matter the Heaven you get into… you will become a Chaos Lord in either days, weeks, or a year's time. Chaos Lord is a critical target you need to achieve. One that will separate you into the one percept of the one percent."
"And Paragons?"
"The Silver Devil made a magical if not impossible prowess. But… as soon as this week passes, everyone will no longer be paragons. They'll be under new laws and new structures. New everything. They'll regain their title in a few cycles." Mephisto took a large breath. " This is your time frame to become a Chaos Lord."
"Are you crazy? High on fumes of sorts? I'm struggling with Paragon. What makes you think I can become a Chaos Lord in—"
"I'm still your Master. And it's time to give you some real training. And Arsene, it will be tough. You might even die." He warned, rising to his feet. He glanced behind him. "Aunty? I didn't sense you there. Checking up on your husband?"
Appearing from the shadows, thunderous arcs of lightning shrieked over the skies as Tene appeared with a light glow over her cheeks. She pointed a finger. "What are you scheming? Don't make me tell Ariel on you. You know how scary she can be."
"I'm not scared of my sister," Mephisto responded, but his words were wet with uncertainty.
"You keep telling yourself that. You are so protective of Ariel that once she gives you that look of disapproval, you'll cave. You've done it many times. Or have you forgotten when you almost destroyed Soloman?"
"That bitch had it coming… Fine, I see your point. But it's just training. You can stay and watch if you want."