Shadow Realm

Taking a deep breath of ash and flames within the burning city of Aze, darkness slowly began to flow around me like wildfire. Feeling my body entire a realm of night, I opened my gaze to Tenebrae, wrapping her gentle arms around me.

"It feels the same each time I enter. Mother, you truly know how to spoil your children."

"I would agree," Nyx said, appearing by my side, "But there are only a few of us. Why we were chosen by her will always be a mystery, but I have not once hated her embrace."

"Are you not afraid she is manipulating you?"

"Isn't that what life is? Manipulation on a massive scale?" She said, patting my head like a child. "Where is the brat?"

Rolling my eyes, I sighed, "she... she got a little high and is now bathing in a river of her creation. That girl is crazy!"

"You are no different!"

"Says who? I am a perfect gentleman in its purest form." I exclaimed, stylishly arching my head with grace, "I still retain the lessons that my uncle engraved into me from birth."

"you eat people!"

"Correct, but they are prepared by the best cooks. The class, the grace, and the elegance all cancel out the disgust the ignorant people have towards it." I rightly expressed, nodding with righteous indignation. "Those poor fools cannot even begin to understand the subtle yet complex flavors a human heart has. Or how sweet and smooth a human brain can be."

"Ok-Ok, that's enough. Truly you are a mystery, Arsene. Anyway, Hades is looking forward to dining with you, surprisingly. I heard you are close to forming your Mortal Dao. is that true?"

"I could not say Mortal Dao is weird; it's more of a mental concept than physical; however, once it's formed its begins to materialize in the material world. How that happens, though, is well beyond my knowledge. I don't even think Hades knows."

"It's not that he doesn't. It's just hard to put into words. " Nyx said, pulling me deeper into the night consuming me.

"How are your studies going?" She inquired, watching various shades and monsters of the night hidden by a mist of darkness passed us by. "You reached the fifth stage in the Dao of darkness a few months ago, didn't you?"

"Both well and bad, I was able to send a few Faceless to my old world, using the Shadow Realm as a bridge but aside from melding with space, I am stuck on how to continue."

"Thank Ygg for that; if not for that primordial essence helping your elemental comprehension, you would not have progressed so quickly; you also having elven bloodline did also help. Give it time; it's only been a few months."

"You know me, Nyx. Do I look like someone who likes to wait? I'm going to tear down that wall even if I have to start over."

Giggling to herself, we slowly came to a stop. The Darkness around us similarly beginning to fade, revealing a large obsidian castle formed from the very darkness of the Shadow Realm. Faded runes from a forgotten era inscribed all around the walls bring a sense of light to the world of darkness.

"This place always puts me in the sense of Awe. How you came about it is even more mysterious." I whispered, pressing my hand against its surface, receiving a sensation of neither hot nor cold, hard nor soft but rather empty and ethereal.

"It was a gift, created by a woman who showed me the truth of Tenebrae. Just like you, I to was taught about her majesty, for it is not something one can simply figure out on their own. Lady Adrienne Di Lucarvis taught me like one of her own, and in turn, I taught Hades and now you. " Nyx lightly said.

"Adrienne Di Lucarvis?" I hummed, remembering the name. Entering beyond the threshold, Nyx turned to me.

"You sent a Faceless to Tensen Lumireis? Why?"

"I need advisers, people I can at least trust to a certain level. I am in an unwinnable situation. So gathering my family is one of my main objectives. I sent ten Faceless to retrieve my two uncles and grandfather should they still be alive."

"Almost seems like you are scrambling?" She uttered through the exquisite halls of darkness and luminosity. "Tell me, Arsene, do you truly believe you can defeat A Prince of Hell? Would you not just be putting their lives in danger?"

"There lives were put in danger the moment I came into existence. I can thank Bael for that, but it's fine. I do not expect to win nor lose to Sitri. That prince, while his plans are truly compelling and intricate, it's not like I am not without any option."

"Is that why you sent that letter?"

"Of course, but that is bait." I replied, "I needed Loki gone and for Freya to have a more... hands-on approach."

"So the Snake is Loki." Nyx snapped in irritation, "you may have started another war. Hades hates that man with a passion."

"Oh, I know. That's why I came up with the plan."

Chuckling to myself, I could see a mischievous smile upon Nyx's motherly lips as she rolled her eyes, "You truly are a demon of mischief." she stated, pushing the doors open.

"So you came," Hades announced, turning from the ashen-headed girl to me.

"How... I thought you were high?" I asked

"Still am; melinoë feels super relaxed and free. Like I just got out of a hot bath," she said with a little drool pulling on her lips.

"Hades? How do you feel about melinoë being crazy?" I could not help but ask. Staring at how melinoë was simply melting within her chair with a content expression. "Looks like a cry for help."

"She is the Goddess of Madness, If she were sane, I would be more worried, but seeing her like this, I feel quite joyful. It looks like she had a rather nice feast."

Why the hell did I ask the Lord of the Underworld that? He is crazy, just like his daughter. Rolling my eyes, a pair of small arms suddenly leaped into my embrace. Snuggling within my chest Ty pushed her head up, her draconic eyes shimmering with tears.

"Papa came back for Ty!"

"Of course," I said, kissing her adorable cheeks. "Ty is my favorite little dragon."