Respect and Loyalty

Led through a scar in space and time by Ariel. I remained silent as she maneuvered through what seemed like a never-ending whirlwind of chaos unfolding before my eyes. Laws twisted and bent, breaking into themselves as if unable to retain a corporeal form. And in the seconds that passed, they'd reform, regaining their original form.

Sensing a stir in movement below, I smiled as little Iza peeped open her beady eyes. She released a small coo as her two pudgy arms reached for me. As if I was her entire world, she toothlessly smiled.

"Too cute," I mused, enthralled by her amethyst eyes. They reminded me of her Mothers, but Iza's carried a dark blend to them. It was as if a powerful source of sin forged them. "My child, your brother, is barely a few hours old, and he's already causing problems. Getting kidnapped is downright unacceptable. Remember that."

"Coooo~" Blowing air on me, she giggled thereafter as her gaze whirled about as if searching for something. Suddenly they grew teary as her coos turned to moans.

Bells of alarms roiled through me when all of a sudden, my forsaken bloodline instinctually erupted as a barrier formed off the surface of my skin as the entire void around shattered with her cry. Blood gushed from my eyes before I could react; everything folded into a black hole of nothingness.

"PAPA!!!!!" Came the vibrant cry of Arkanos.

Confused, I staggered off the floor, quickly noticing Iza's cry had come to a halt when I felt Ves's aura reach me.

Had we teleported?

'They can't be separated… at least not yet.' I ended up muttering, glancing down to check on Lilith's pulse. A sigh of relief came as she remained unharmed. I turned to the mischievous ball of sunshine, giggling away, her arms stretching toward Vesryn in Yahweh's arms.

And as our gaze met, all the anger I withheld shimmer over the surface of my flesh." I—"

"Before you continue and say something dumb. Shall I explain my actions of kidnapping your child?" Yahweh said calmly. He turned to Ves tracing his thumb against his cheek before looking up at me.

I nodded.

It was odd. I should feel scarred, if not downright cowering, but for some reason, in this form of his… I couldn't feel anything. It was as if I was talking to air.

"Do you recall the look everyone gave you when you exploded with rage?" He asked me.

I did…

Recalling the faces of shock, if not horror, they showed, my anger became puzzlement. I hadn't really taken note of it at the time, but there was a deep look of shock on their faces.

"Now… did any of them seem angry at my actions? No right? Think carefully. Why did they seem to have a mild reaction?" He approached me with slow, heavy steps. And his soft eyes slowly began to shimmer with power. "It was because their instincts couldn't help but cower. It couldn't help but bend a knee." he stopped, and his lips curled up. "Don't you find it weird that even if you didn't know who I was, that explosion of anger was a little out of line?"

"... I… I don't understand. What's your point?"

He handed me Ves and placed his hands behind his back: "The Abyssals is a matriarchal society. That's not going to change. The reason I took your child was to show them your resolve. Arsene… That rage you held was… It was not something one could just show in my presence. It's pure abyssal… NO, it came directly from my sister herself. Within you, my child, my sister has given you such power it rivals Zariels Weave if you can believe it."

"Why did you take him?"

His grin deepened: "It's the right of every parent to raise their child. And Lilith has Twelve Generals. Two respect you." He said, causing a wry grin to appear on my lips: "Lilith might love you to an insane degree, but she is also a queen, the living incarnation of my sister. In their eyes, you are but a whore… a concubine that had the right to fulfill her desires."

A show of power… That is what Yahweh's aim was. It was to show that I could show my fury even against the Almighty God. Blasphemous, yes, but it was an indicator that I would fight anyone for my child.

"I don't get involved anymore unless 'absolutely' necessary. But you and Lilith need to raise these kids. No one else." he said calmly, his gaze focusing on Iza's fingers pressing against Vesyrns cheeks, seemingly aggravating him. "She's already bullying him, huh."

Watching Iza innocently pull at Vesyrns cheeks, I merely chuckled, allowing her to do as she pleased as my thoughts tried to comprehend Yahweh's words.

I had gained quite a bit of respect with the gift Abyss-Chan. But I never thought it was enough to circumvent the male standing within Lilith's society. But that wasn't enough. Would this be?

"... You'd trust a cannibal to raise a child?"

"I trust you to be in your kids' lives. I know you'll be tough, but Arsene as an all-knowing being. I can say you will make a better father than most people. You won't torment your kids for no point. You won't talk down to them to show your dominance out of insecurity. You'll treat them as people and do what you have to do to make them strong… even if they end up hating you. Being a parent isn't about making one's child happy but self-sufficient. If they want happiness, they can find it themselves."

I smirked. " is this your godly wisdom? To be honest, it sounds a little sociopathic."

"Then your thinking is quite linear. Everything needs balance, my child." He said, shaking his head. "I've done what I needed. The ceremony is finished. There already married. You can redo the ceremony if you want, but I've business to attend… oh," His gaze turned sharp. " Watch out for Mephisto. This little game that's been played since the dawn of time is reaching a major checkmark. Make sure to watch yourself."

Vanishing in a flash of golden light, I stood frozen as the world around me grew into focus, revealing a cathedral of sorts I was too blinded by anger to notice.

"Papa… are you mad?" Little Ty asked, approaching with a snow-white wedding dress to match her sisters.

"Conflicted," I responded, rustling her little head. " But you look quite pretty today. Did you give my Ves a big kiss?"

"The biggest!!!!" The two girls sang, wrapping their arms around my knees with untold joy.

Forcing a smile, I muttered beneath my breath,"... I'm going to have to separate Iza and Ves… My god. I can't have my daughter thinking this shit is normal."