The Demonic Mother had never answered back; maybe all of what I said was within her plan, or I had spooked her, but it didn't matter. I barely knew anything about this so call demonic mother. But her manipulation marked the end of my relationship with the devils and demons of the Nines.

If she could control someone like this imp, or Bael and asmo, there is no telling if she would stab me in the back.

"Follow me; My Master is waiting for you." Zax relayed to me, walking past me through the doors; I followed behind without a second thought.

There was definitely a conspiracy going on behind my back. A large one. Could this be about the Throne of Blood and Ash, or is it about the Forsaken families? I have to assume that this isn't about the Throne; if it is, we have already lost. But if it's about the families or at least something hidden in Arcadia, then there's a chance.

I am still weak, at least for now, but with Zariel and the Order's Help, I should be able to transcend the power of the thirty-three heavens quite easily. The only issue I have is Zantar and this mysterious other Fallen.

Listening to the echoes of feet against the ground, it didn't take more than the time it would take to infuse a cup of tea to arrive. "We're here," Zax said before a massive door shimmering with ancient runes graced my eyes. Gazing at the Heavenly and Infernal Runes glaring back at me, I dared not even touch this door. Not when a single touch could destroy my soul.

Placing his palm over the door, the sounds of chains shattering erupted sprang into life, and a sea of embers fluttered about my sights as the door opened.

"ARSENE!!!!!!! MY BOY! WE MEET AGAIN!!!!"

I smiled as I recalled speaking to the original Bael back on Midgard when I arrived.historical

Stepping into the dark hall where light seemed to be dead, I centered my gaze on Bael, resting in the lotus position in the middle of what seemed like an entire world. The black grass fluttered against my feet as I pressed forward past Zax and towards Bael.

"You had said we would meet again."

"That was only to be polite. I thought you were going to die. You seem to have one of those personalities, you know. Asmo and I had a bet to see how you would die. You aren't the most likable person." He said, and I couldn't have agreed more.

"You are not wrong. But that's cool, though; it's not like other people got anything good going on."

"It's good to see not much has changed," he mused and stood up to his feet. "Well, as you know, your final trial is to battle against me, but since you already know all this is just a front for Mother. Let's have a competition. I'll tell you something important that Zax wasn't going to tell you despite making a deal with you."

I glanced at the imp, who had said something along those lines. He smirked, "I'm only following orders."

"Forgive the boy! He's a bit of a prude. Unfortunately, neither of us have a choice when it comes to the orders of Mother." Bael relayed, and I couldn't have agreed more. "But the Silver Devil and I have had a good relationship for a while, which is why I helped you out all those years ago."

"But you were also helping the Demon Mother."

"Little column A, a little column B," he said, slowly growing more serious, " I left out a bit of information about the Fallens in my library, and one of them pertains to Zantar. One that will help you greatly."

Reaching into myself, the Spear of Noctem appeared in my hand, " So? What are the parameters of this battle?"

"The battle will last one minute." He softly said, cracking his neck.

"!!!" Widening my eyes, I felt something awaken within Bael. Something so primal, so powerful, I felt myself take a few steps back.

"the highest attunement you have between the Great Powers is a tie between the Abyss and the night, which lie around seven percent. A marvelous accomplishment, as I only have a twenty percent attunement to the Hells. Despite being older, stronger, and, let's be honest, sexier. You have a way higher chance of having a higher attunement."

"You have the blessing of the Hells," I said, understanding what he was trying to say.

"Indeed, and that is the power I will be using to fight you. However, I will limit it to ten percent. It'll make it sorta fair."

I snorted and pointed my spear towards Bael with a coarse smile, "Yours and Soloman's knowledge was very insightful. But If you think you are the only one who can draw on the powers of Hell, then you are mistaken."

Bael's handsome expression tightened, and he bound his black and silver hair into a ponytail. His eyes which seemed too sharp, made my soul feel like they were being pierced by a thousand blades, lingered on me for a while till he blinked.

I sucked in a deep breath as the power of the Abyssal Night came out of my spiritual form. It had taken a billion years, but this mantra was a combination of it all. The way Bael can use the power of the Hells. The Path of Abyssal Night made use of all Three Great powers in me. All that was left was for me to get my hands on some angel blood.

Diving deep into my Path, a power that was both my own yet not comes into being around me. And for a single moment, I felt Almighty Essence flow through my meridians like liquid magma.

The King of Hell smiled, "There is no adapting to almighty QI; only by controlling it will you ensure your own power doesn't kill you. But you will have practice when you awake."

"I'll have practice now," I uttered, stepping forward, with the Path of Pride awakening in me after its long slumber, helping me get a grip of the power within me. I was sure the Hells or the Abyss could not be tarnished, but the night could.

It was mine to do as I please. Mine to dominate.

Abyssal Night, tainted by my Tarnishing, erupted as I glared at Bael, smiling at me with an arrogant look. He opened both his arms and summoned two pitch-black spears. Each with his name engraved onto the shaft of the spear.

"You!"

"What you have done is what many supreme beings have done. And since this is just your soul, your Forsaken Qi will not be in here."

I sneered, " You underestimate the Path of Abyssal Night." I coldly said, "and the power of the Monarch of Darkness. If I can open a gate to Iluthath, then why can't I open a doorway into all of creation, A doorway into myself to tap into my bloodline?"

"I'm the Monarch of Darkness, Bitch!"