Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

A mischievous smile appeared over the lips of Mephisto: "And what do you mean by game?" He asked, but somehow I felt he had already gleaned some insight into what Tenebrae had planned.

"The idea behind the Tower you held was to connect Arcadia and the Myriad Heavens. By sacrificing this entire Heaven, you'll recreate it anew. Correct?"

"Precisely," Mephisto said. " By doing so, we'll build a new heaven on par with Arcadia. And since the other side has no idea of what we have planned. It should go off without a hitch. Even if there are stronger, the unknown is the deadliest of all attacks."

So… that's what he had planned. Well, I'm sure that is only a small part of it. What I don't understand is how I am in the middle or why he needed a favor from me. Whatever it is… I feel uneasy about it.

"The Shadow Proclamation, as you know, is now the new standard of law in the Myriad Heavens." Tenebrae stoically began. " And unlike before, Father will grant his subjects complete access to his almighty blessing in regards to breaking the Laws of the Shadow Proclamation. You saw it with me when I captured you, correct?" And for the first time, Mephisto frowned, narrowing his scarlet eyes.

"I see. So it looks like even Fell Gods will have to be on their toes when breaking the rules." Mephisto mused.

"Correct."

"But what does this have to do with Babel's Tower and Avernus," Lucifer remarked, his arms poised behind his back. He glanced at me for a second and leveled his gaze on Tenebrae. "As you know, that one gate connects us to the entire Myriad Heaven. It took a lot of convincing for Lord Hellmaster to forge it. I will—"

Tene raised her palm, silencing Lucifer as she shook her head. "It will still be in your complete protection. I am simply moving it into the Tower of Babel, as for which floor it's on. That doesn't matter. You can pick. But it must be within the Tower."

"So that's what you meant by borrowing." Mephisto whispered, "But that still doesn't give cause for us to—"

"The precipice of Babel's Tower lies in its idea of betrayal, whether it's family or friends, daughter or son. Any who enter the Tower of Babel are doomed to betray one another. Or at least that's how it technically works. It's one of the unbreakable Curses the Father placed on it. Later enhanced by Hellmaster. I believe Arsene owns a copy, right?'

I nodded, almost forgetting… DAMN, IT! Why do I keep forgetting about important shit? I need someone who takes care of shit like that. Looks like that little Shade, Sharla, will be getting another promotion. I'm going to take her to Hell too.

"Your point?" Lucifer asked.

"To train the next generation, of course. I'm sure the denizens of Arcadia will not be too fond of us bleeding them dry when a whole bunch of gods enters their domain like Mephisto had planned. The Tower will be our way of forging warriors. People show some of their greatest power through betrayal, revenge, and ambition. The Tower will be the central point of all that's left of the Twelve Realms. And it will be the only way to access Arcadia. From both ends."

"Ah! I see. Your planning to make it so those that enter the Tower are able to enter the Nine Hells." I said, and Tenebrae nodded.

"Correct. But not just hell but all conceivable realms. Although there will be limited access to each realm if certain hidden quests aren't met. Lucifer will be one of the admins. But with Mephisto's recent crime, he must relinquish his rights to the Tower. Since he'll be banished soon."

The trickster nodded. " I'm fine with that. But who will be taking my place?"

"I was thinking Soloman. He is neither a major ally of the Angels nor Fallen. And he has always been a King of the People. He'll not take sides, even for me. Zariel can't be one since he's preoccupied with enforcing the Shadow Proclamation and building on it. Either way, we need seven, and I can't be one."

'You shouldn't have said that.' I soul whispered to Tene. 'Mystery leaves opportunity. If you don't want to be caught, clear it up before Mephisto starts making guesses. That could lead him to our son."

Mephisto's brow lifted. "Oh!? Why's that? I'm sure you'll love too—"

"I want to help raise the two little chibi's of Arsene and Lilith… Can you imagine how cute they'll be!" Tenebrae sang, eyes teaming with an abundance of anticipation. "I've all types of wild games to play with them! Aunty Tene is ready to strike!"

The Fallen trickster smiled, and everything in me stirred with unease but faded as the Path of Abyssal Night swelled to life, cooling my mind of unnecessary thought. I didn't display anything but joy at Tene's idea.

I actually do want my children to spend time with Tene. She'd have much to teach them. Not to mention she has more experience raising children than anyone.

Lifting my lips into a smile, I nodded. " It would be a blessing to have Tene help raise the twins," I said, and Mephisto's pupils quivered.

I was sure this bastard mind was flaring with an endless amount of information right now.

"I see… So Soloman and I are to be the two out of the seven administrators of the Tower." Lucifer said, folding his arms. He tapped his fingers over his bicep. "So, how do we determine the other five?"

"There will be one from Heaven, as there is one from Hell. From there, I will begin interviewing various major houses and pantheons. Either way, Lucifer, you'll have your hands full with the creation of dungeons and various worlds for trials. And feel free to invite other Fallen or Demons from Hell. Guidelines on dungeon making, along with rewards, will be—-"

'FUCK!!!! That sounds so much fun! I want to play!" Mephisto shouted, rising to his feet. A glow of mischievousness shimmered from his eyes. "I see now. So that's how we'll be raising soldiers and disples."

Tenebrae nodded. "Yes, so begin breeding demons and devils in folds. Many of them will be sacrificed. But since there immortal, they'll just revive in Hell. I'll inform the other progenitors what is to come. " She tightened her fist, focusing her power, as her voice grew cold as ice. " I will make the Myriad heavens as powerful as Arcadia. We will not fall should a war break out. You've my word on that."