Shadow of the Abyss

"Beelzebub, I don't understand. Why is it that you think I would take your side? Do you have any idea how many people would die in Yarwin if you had your way?" Archangel Gabriel intoned upon one of the seven thrones of Babel's Tower that protruded through the shadowscape of the purest night in a ring.

"Seeing that nearly eighty percent of the population has already perished and a realm war with one of my princes is taking place. It's only a matter of time before more devils are summoned." Beelzebub lazily explained, amused by his brother's annoyed expression. "Not to mention there are some real talents within Yarwin."

"Lord Beelzebub, might I ask what is your fascination with Yarwin? Was it not Astaroth that allowed this disaster to occur?" said Solomon, a young man clad in snow-white robes. "Surely you've got your hands full with Genisis."

"Sol, am I not allowed hobbies?" Laughed the Seventh Monarch of Hell incredulously, "I'm merely taking over for Mephisto temporarily. You know him."

The Wise King called upon his authority not to spit in disgust and said with a calm, poised voice. " Is this why Lucifer isn't here today?"

"Yes, it would seem my brothers have quite the fascination with Arcadia. However, I can't blame them. Who knew Father would create such an unknown realm and go through all that trouble to hide it." Beelzebub shook his head, waving away the topic with his palm. "What say you, Adam? Are you interested in a proposition? I could even help you with your little problem.

Like you, I've been trying to track down your wife… sorry, Ex-Wife." He smiled, watching the first High Human frown. "Or have you given up on her? Last I heard she was… Oops… I nearly spilled the secret. Well? Do you want to know where she is or who she's riding or who's riding her?"

With a belly full of fire, a fiendish light swarmed Adam's golden eyes. His fist tightened over the stone armrest as he struggled to contain himself.

Beelzebub sadistic smile deepened. "Oh yes, I've been quite aware of Eve's movements for the last couple of chaos cycles. And you wouldn't guess the person who granted her sanctuary."

Gabriel's lips thinned. "Beel, you're going too far."

"What is he a woman? Adam, is your vagina hurting? Was I too hard?" Beelzebub asked with the most serious of expressions.

Gabriel resisted the urge to laugh, feeling his elder brother's eyes on him.

"Beelzebub," Archangel Zadkiel voiced. "Please keep this civil. No need for insults. You are asking for a favor, after all."

"Little brother," Beelzebub said, with a half smile sharper than any blade. "It was Adam who brought torment to the Myriad Heavens. It's not my fault he made Lilith flee to the Hells. It is not my fault he couldn't control Eve from giving life to the Seven Sins. Or did you forget? Then, there was the whole incident with the apple.

Adam is literally the first simp."

"Damn," Said Gabriel, covering his mouth. 'You ain't have to do him like that." he whispered.

"Come on, how hard was it not to eat from the tree? You literally screwed all of your descendants over some pussy."

"Bastard!" Adam roared, eyes flashing with a sigil of the One.

Beelzebub didn't so much as flinch, though his voice did turn ice cold. "Drop the act, Adam. Do you want to find Eve or not? You've been looking for her for the past Hell Cycle. Last I heard, she tore your arm off to pummel you all the way into the fourth dimension before all your children. That kind of humiliation is—"

"Enough," Adam barked, narrowing his eyes with a devil fire in his eyes. "What is it you want?"

"Cooperation." Beelzub stood up, offering his palm towards Adam. "Serve me well in this affair, and I might allow access to Seth. You remember him, right? Your other son that fell alongside Cain."

Adam's teeth clenched. "You truly are one of the vilest of the Nine Hells, Beelzubub." Nevertheless, he shook his palm, sealing the deal. Authority bore through the Hells, crowning the two with its sigil. "Now tell me where she is?"

The Seven Monarch of Mythos smirked. "With Arsene Snow. She is currently with Tiamat, though I suggest you don't try breaking in. Weakened or not, Arsene's power is real and growing at a frightening rate. Zariels doing no doubt." And his gaze shifted to Soloman. "As for you… How about I don't inform Belius?

Need I say more?"

The implication was clear: Syris would die.

Solomon's expression went pale as snow. "How!"

"I would intervene before Mephisto or Lucifer find out. Especially Mephisto. He doesn't like you very much. So, do I have your vote?" Beelzebub mused as everything fell into his palm. Solomon nodded.

"Good. Now all that's left is my two little brothers." he turned, measuring the two Archangels.

Gabriel sighed. "Look. I don't mind you taking the lead. But if it gets out of control, I will step in. So I cannot make any promises."

Zadkiel nodded alongside his little brother. "Indeed. Though I suppose you would like us to hold back Heaven's Gate and the Sisters of Sepith before things get out of hand… or more out of hand than they already are. I'm all for peace; however, I would like for neither Heaven nor Hell to govern Baefor. Leave it to the little Lords of this tower."

For a second, Beelzebub hesitated, recalling the involvement of Astaroth. He frowned for a while, thinking before he gave a definitive answer. "Then business like usual?"

"That was why the Shadow Prolocmation was created." Zadkiel intoned solemnly. "We let these mortals rule themselves, or at least we keep our distance and let these lesser gods do as they please. There is a reason our kind chose peace during the Second Blood War. There isn't a need for Fallen or Angel to perish."

"But perish they might. Astaroth will continue to gun for Altair Blackwood." Beelzebub said, narrowing his eyes. "I can't promise much, but I can ensure he will not descend."

Zadkeil stood up, glancing towards the empty seventh seat before vanishing with a gale of golden light. Gabriel grinned, kicking himself up.

"Bye Beel, Sol, let's hang later… Whatever Beel is blackmailing you with, I can help." He said, shooting Beelzebub a silly wink before disappearing with a storm of laughter.

Adam scuffed but vanished not long after having nothing left to discuss.

"How did you find out?" Solomon asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I would have missed it had I not descended altogether," Beelzebub remarked. "You've hidden her well. But you should have asked Aunty Tenebrae to hide her. Though I suppose you only just found out, she resurrected. You Celestrial and High Humans surely do breed like rabbits. Though I am curious… Who is the mother?"

"That isn't for you to know," Solomon growled, pulling himself up from his throne. He seemed almost weary, yet there was a deadly gleam in his eye. 'What is it you want?"

"Assistance on Yarwin, but I could use you on Genisis. My research is reaching a level where I need someone whose authority of Magic is superior to mine. And you are the one to fit that criteria. Since you are the one who created our current system of Magic."

"There is Zariel. He surpassed me." Said Solomon grimly.

"True. But Zariel is still unstable. And seal with Arsene in Pandora's box."

Solomon sneered. "He might be unstable, but his ability to manipulate the Weave would outweigh any sort of disability he has. What is the real reason."

"I've no obligation to tell you. And it's not like you have much choice." the Fallen remarked coldly, more annoyed with himself than anything else.

"I can consult Zero. I'm sure he'll be happy to aid me." Solomon remarked, frowning.

"But Zero isn't here right now." Beelzebub cut in, "So unless you wish for an 'accident' to occur, you'll follow me to Genisis after this, and I promise not to touch your daughter unless she messes with me, of course." he smiled, patting his shoulder. " So work with me for a few years until you can figure out how to escape my grasp."

Fist grew clenched. "Beelzebub, I don't understand. What more do you want? You are already one of the strongest within the Myriad Heavens and, I'm sure, Arcadia as well once you've acclimated to the laws there. What the hell else do you want? What more does—" A tinge of coldness consumed Solomon's words.

"for one so wise, you truly are foolish." Beelzebub sighed, studying the man. "Do you know how the myriad Heavens got its name?"

"The Ilvarians named it so. "

"Correct. The Ilvarians had learned that the universe they lived in was layered between an infinite amount of dimensions, one stronger than the last. The higher you go, the more condensed the laws and concepts are. And above all of that, we have the Primordials and then The One and the All. So ask yourself this. How does one break out of the Myriad Heavens that are infinitely large as it is wide?"

"You enter the Abyss." said Soloman, "the abyss surrounds the Myriad Heavens, empowering it… Hells. Your research is…"

The Fallen grinned. "The Abyss? Correct."