Within the darkness of Mount Olympus, surrounded by unfamiliar stares filled with caution. My gaze swayed towards the smiling Ariel. Her palm resting neatly against her thighs, she tilted her head at my stare.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Maybe." I mused. It felt weird. We weren't even within this strange boundary, but my senses were already obscured by its aura. It wasn't in the least bit comfortable.
Ariel was Lilith's doula and a respectable angel, but for some reason, I felt uneasy.
Was I fearful of her, or was I merely uneasy about being so defenseless right now? It wasn't the first time my powers had been sealed, but I could always count on my sense of awareness. But now it was gone. I couldn't even feel the lives of the weaklings around me. In some ways, it was humiliating.
"My Lord," One of the Faceless called, drawing my attention back outside as the palanquin stopped. "Someone wishes to see you."
"Bring him forward."
Adhering to my will, I saw a young man with long platinum blonde hair and sharp-steely blue eyes that mirrored the azure skies approach. Handsome as they come, he stared me in the eye, seemingly ignorant of his position.
"Welcome to Mount Olympus." The young man said, his gaze sweeping from Ariel to Lilith and back to me. "May I inquire about your reason for this visit? Olympus has already closed its gates to outsiders.
"Are you also a follower of Ares?" I calmly asked, pondering if I should kill this one for staring me in the eye.
Killing seemed a little much. Perhaps I should gouge his eyes out.
"That is correct." The man said sharply, " I am Caliden Del Vaan Demar, the first disciple of the God of War, Ares."
"And are you, by chance blocking my way?" I calmly asked, with the tone of my voice dripping with killing intent.
"I—"
"It was a simple yes or no."
Caliden expression grew icy, paling of color, as those icy pale blue eyes narrowed. "My master—"
'Your Master only lives because of the will of us, Snows. You should know who I am, correct?" I calmly continued, my patients wearing thin.
If it weren't for Zariel using these bastards as batteries for my resurrection, I would have long slaughtered everyone here. But they played their part. I am not ungrateful even if they had no choice.
"Your pride is showing, Arsene. Why not just kill the boy?" Lilith pressed, tapping her fingers against my thigh. "Very few dare to look me in the eye. Not even my ladies-in-wait dare to. And they are all pureblood Abyssals." She smiled, chuckling. " But I guess I can forgive the insolence. I am in quite a magnanimous mood."
"When you talk like that, I get the feeling we are villains." I voiced.
"But you are villains," Ariel said, rolling her eyes, and shifted her attention towards Caliden. "Child, send us through. And it would be best if you watched yourself. "
The young man whose cultivation stood at the peak of the Fourth Heaven before the Ascension bowed his head, his paling expression sinking to a dangerous level.
Caliden Del Vaan Demar, huh. That's quite the mouthful. Is he perhaps a nobleman? A king, maybe a prince? He doesn't carry himself like a king, but rather one of the lower positions.
"Lead them through, Prince Caliden." A grim voice came from further down, rich with a bloodthirsty intent. I felt the will of war tickle my flesh.
Ares… He's at my level. No… he might be a little stronger. It would seem the Olympian Gods are taking as much advantage of the Ascension as they can. But I wonder if they will submit to us, Snows?
"Herd them through!" Caliden shouted, and after a brief moment, the palanquin began to circle its way downwards into the depths of this seemingly endless abyss.
"Arsene," Ariel began. " as I told Lilith, I will not take part in any unnecessary action I deem unfit. I do not approve of meaningless slaughters."
"Meaningless Slaughters?" I repeated, almost smiling at the phrase. " Then, if it were a meaningful slaughter, you'd approved. Is the hypocrisy of the seraphim showing itself?"
She sneered. " I'm not naive as I appear. There is a reason I am called the Lion of God. It's I who leads the charge in battle. I have taken more lives than both you and Lilith combined."
Startled by the sudden sternness of her voice, Lilith's voice entered my mind. "Arsene, Ariel is an ally that is respected by just about everyone. She doesn't participate in politics, but she holds much sway within the Seven Heavens. Even if she's playful, show her respect. You and I both owe her that. Don't disrespect her. Rarely does she ask for anything."
I stared at the seemingly innocent Angel staring back at me, and recalled her relationship with Mephisto.
She has a very close relationship with that snake. So she is very tolerant, but it seems there was more to her than I originally thought. It would seem she is very sensitive to… war, or is its slaughter?
"Then I'll take your advice. But there is a limit to my mercy."
"I merely ask for diplomacy rather than tyranny. I am not here to command but advise."
Revealing a half smile, it didn't take long for the palanquin to come to a halt as a tense wave of tension coiled around the air, stiffing those of weak will.
I gathered myself and made my way out of the palanquin, offering a hand to Lilith, who smiled, taking my palm with gentle care as we made our way outside.
"Abyssal Sin!" The grim voice of Ares greeted, crawling with dense killing intent.
Glancing at the two rows of guards on each side of the palanquin, my eyes fell upon a man clad in black robes. Blood-stained hair and eyes, he stood with his hands poised behind his back. Above his brow shimmered seven small ruby-red stars that seemed to crown him its king. And by his side stood his disciple with his head bowed.
"Ares, I presume."
"Empress, Lilith," Ares said, naming my wife with his greeting as his gaze fell upon Ariel. "And the Lady?"
"Lion of God, Archangel, Ariel."