Collateral

Tremors came in waves as I gazed out the tent towards the swirling black hole. Through the darkness, I could see three of my clones raging, granting me a massives amount of information as they battled. I could feel the flames of Hellfire burning with the Concept of Eternity, piercing past my veil of night. Two pillars bright as stars could be seen blanketing the skies of this no-name realm.

Coldly analyzing the black flames, my eyes darkened. "What the hell am I doing? Why am I even using fire when I control darkness? The Flames of Hellfire can take the form of anything, so why not darkness instead? What kind of Monarch am I? All I needed to do was keep the aesthetic and change the inner mechanics."

I closed my eyes when a striking force shocked the land. Countless trees became atomized instantly, as a beastal roar echoed, with such ferocity, I acted out almost instinctually, creating a massive barrier with the Flames of Hellfire.

Shaken by the torment of force, the only sane clone of mine locked eyes with Baphomet, who emerged from subspace. And in that single moment, a chill rippled down my spine. Brimming with Hell's power overflowing, with a nasty gash over his shoulder, Baphomet growled. Releasing steams of air that corrupted the soil beneath my feet, hundreds of kilometers away.

Sensing nature dying and the Dao of Wrath settling between his eyes and a missing Zantar, I knew something had happened.

Something that could change everything.

My heart sunk. "This is not good."

I peered over towards the camp of Devils and Demons and the coming of Princes and Kings of Hell alongside dukes and many of the aristocracies. And a dark premonition whipped over my mind.

Baphomet, the Beast King Demon, was lost in sin.

Muscles bulging and veins throbbing at the forefront of his handsome expression twisted into the form of a feral beast. Hundreds of sigils littered the skies, casting a looming shadow over the land and the growing battle.

Suddenly hundreds of starships came out of subspace, carrying hordes of legions. Astral force, Demonic Qi, Angelic, and various more I couldn't even grasp seemed to echo as the beast king suddenly growled in laughter.

Chilling the heart of man and beast alike, the holocube within my main soul rang. Summoning it into my hand, Asmodeus appeared, his expression extremely cold.

"What happened?"

"No idea," He said, "But that doesn't matter. I need you to run. Keep moving, and don't stop till a year or two ends. Before, we were just feeling everyone out. But now, with Baphomet's rampage, I fear that the coming of war has appeared." He coldly said.

"How are your forces?" I questioned, and Asmodeus smiled.

"We might not be what we were before the Great Change, but hell is still hell. We have the most amount of gods. While we hold a smaller amount of Paragons, I should be able to handle them."

Pondering his words, I glanced towards the skies where I felt those eyes had lingered. "I know where Iliah is." I calmly said, returning my gaze to meet Asmodeus's burning iris. "I want you to push or retreat to that location."

"That could take hundreds of thousands of years, you know."

I shrugged. " it doesn't matter. Just make sure it happens. I will start relaying information of various bases. Just make sure you control the manner of your retreat. as well as your enemies."

"You know something I don't?" He asked, but I merely shook my head.

"No, but demons thrive in chaos. Use that. Have the Devils command the demons. I will handle the abyssal fiends."

"I see," Asmodeus nodded. " I will be going now, but Levi is currently on her way to find you. We have something for you." He said and disconnected.

Not letting the intrigue get to me, I felt space twist and cry at the monstrous pressure rippling out with such might. I knew I had no standing there. Not yet. The Demons Mother's presence was fading, and so were my clones' fragmented souls. In a few more minutes, I would be gone from this battlefield.

"PACK IT UP!" I howled, applying Heavenly QI to my voice. "We are leaving!"

Stirred awake disciples of the Holy Swords burrowed out to their feet, racing back and forth, with panic in their eyes. Amused by the fear, I could see Ezra storming over towards me with a grim expression.

"Father called."

" I know."

"This was but one location of the holy swords. Are we going to—"

I chuckled, cutting her short. " Attack the rest? In due time. Once all these disciples become Shadowfell, we will send them back to their Sect. From there, we will slowly start converting."

Ezra seemed to stare for a moment, her gaze clouded by a haze. Pondering for a moment, I pushed out my senses, peering deeply into her heart.

Lingering shadows seemed to whip across my mind, reaching deep into my heart. Coldness swelled into the far reaches of my soul as I gazed upon myself through Ezra's eyes.

Thoughts racing, my mind grew jumbled at the countless sensations she held towards me.

It was complete chaos in her mind. Respect, hate, intrigue, there were so many emotions that I could not fully grasp what she was thinking. But there was one thing clear in my mind, For Ezra's heart to show me myself through her eyes, it could only mean one thing.

I was her Devil Heart.

My smile thinned as I pondered how to crush that weakness she held towards me. Thinking for a moment, I drew closer, studying her as her gaze lifted to meet mine. Defiance radiated from her eye as she crossed her arms.

"What are you staring at?" She questioned.

"Why you, darling." I said, tracing my fingers over her chin, " Just thinking of your Devil Heart and the Throne your father holds."

Ezra's gaze trembled. She swatted my hands away and took a step back. " So?"

"I think we are going to have quite a bit of fun in the coming years," I whispered, approaching a somewhat lean figure that seemed to beckon the very heart of man. My lips crept upwards. "To break that devil's heart of yours, I may need to dive deep."

Her brow scrunched. " Dive deep?"

"Balls deep, darling."

"Fuck off!"