With Gabriel's departure, I found myself on my throne overlooking the torches blazing with a black flame. Tongues of flames coiled over one another as my fingers tapped against the armrest.
A recent attack meant to kill everyone I love. Now, this?
"Mephisto… I know you are listening. Can you tell me why some masked angel with wings of flames placed a hit on my family? I have already found information implicating some angels, and I'm sure that list will grow."
Coldness swayed over my skin as his ethereal voice reached me. "Are you asking my permission wether to slaughter my brethren?" Despite his absence, I could feel Mephisto's disgust from here. It made my skin crawl with clear revulsion. "The one who attacked you… I'm narrowing it down."
"As am I," I said shortly.
Mephisto grew silent as if wrestling with something before continuing in a guiding voice. " Do what you have to do. But remember, retaliation out of anger will force negative results. Inform your Court before foolishly reacting. Now is not the time for acting out. I've already calmed your brother."
"So even he," I whispered to myself and raised my head towards the ceiling line with gold. " I'll heed your wisdom. But The Abyss will not. Someone attacked their Queen and her unborn twins. There will be hell to pay."
The connection between Mephisto and myself went dead, leaving only a cold wind billowing through my Court. Despite the flames acting as decor and a show of power, it felt like I was in a winter storm.
I shouldn't be surprised. Angels have lived for a very long time. They are all different. And yet why does it feel like we are not so different? Does the Virtue held within the Heavens not mean anything? If not… why live your life by it?
Glancing down at the letter Gabriel left for me, I opened it and read the content with a long frown.
"What's it say?" the voice of Tene asked.
My gaze left the letter and settled on the doe-eye beauty standing with a shade of red over her cheeks. "Foolishness. Seems we are invited to debate the coming change. But… I see it merely as a formality to ingage in war."
"Sene…" Tenebrae sweetly said. " You have to go."
"I was never one to care about formalities," I told her, sinking deeper into my throne. "Especially one as pointless as this one."
"But it's not pointless." Mimir suddenly said, appearing on one knee behind Tenebrae, his head bowed and carrying a rich sent of the Hells. "It's a good opportunity to expand your kingdom and form treaties."
I paused, and my fingers grew clenched. " If I see an angel… I'm killing them. And that goes for the rest of Noctem. I don't want their kind in my kingdom."
Silence spilled over the Throne Room, leaving an engulfing killing intent that bubbled with carnage. Mephisto's words were wise… but no one attacked my wife and child. No one lives to tell that tale."
"Then allow me, Lord Snow, to wipe them out." A great voice crackled over my kingdom like a flood, hitting my ear with such force my eyes snapped toward the voice.
Near the entrance to my throne room stood a fair-skinned woman with hair like fire and eyes of the richest gold. No smile could be seen over her star-striking appearance as she stood with her arms poised behind her back, draped in a military attire.
"I am Damaris, Abyssal Dutches to her highness the queen, Lilith Snow." She said in a domineering tone that demanded if not took, all the attention. She did a half bow and stared me in the eye. "May I?"
I nodded and beckoned her closer.
"It's an honor to finally meet her majesty's concubine." She started off.
"Concubine?"
"Her words, my Lord." The Duchtes said, lifting her lips into a challenging half-smile. "Problem?"
I chuckled. " No. But was it also Lilith who told you to be respectful? I was under the impression the Abyssal Fiends hated my guts."
"Maybe, but I'm not one of them: I am Damaris."
A little taken aback, I almost jumped at her level of intensity. It was fucking perfect! She was perfect.
"You might just be my new favorite Abyssal Fiend." I mused, tossing her the letter. " this was given to me by Gabriel, a neutral party. They want Lilith with me."
Catching the letter. Damaris stared at it for a second and nodded. "I'll have Vita, and I act as guards for her Majesty, the Queen. Arch-Angel Ariel will be there. If we play this right, we'll test her loyalty. We can't have a traitorous angel by her Majesty's side. Not when she is so vulnerable with the twins."
"This is a peaceful event," Tenebrae said.
"So is my blade after it severs someone's head." Damaris coldly replied. "There is no greater peace than standing over the headless body of your enemy."
She is very aggressive.
"Damaris, what do you think will happen if we engage in a premature war with the heavens?" I calmly asked.
"Based on the inflammation given?" She started with a deadpan expression. "Nothing. I foresee the Trickster intervening on our part. I don't like that. So you bet your ass I'll make him work for it. The Abyss is prepared to combat the Myriad. We outnumber them seven to one. The Myriad will lose. Especially if the Fallen were to side with us."
I frowned. " And you're sure of this?"
"They'll join because you'll join. The Abyss has far more resources and people in its debts than the Mryaid Heavens. There was a reason we were banned from entering it." She proclaimed, "I'll not have my people look down upon so much some angel will hire an assassin to kill her. Lord Snow… I only step in when the safety of her Queen is in danger. And it's in danger now."
I marvel at this specimen before me. She'd make a perfect representative between the Abyss and the Mryaid Heavens.
"Mimir? What do you think." I folded, shifting my attention to my frowning Advisor.
"There'd be fallout on both sides. Aggression isn't usually the answer. But in this case, with the recent attack. The Abyss needs to make a statement. I suggest my Lord back the Abyss. That being said, this entire event is a prelude to war. How it goes will ensure who sides with who."
Summoning the ring I got from Aldrich that possesses the Throne to Ilutahth/Bed of Chaos, I stared at Mimir. " Get Freya in here. It's time she gains some major responsibility."