Cloud

Standing over the tallest building in nocturne, under the glow of twilight, overlooking the forest of skyscrapers piercing up like spires, the amethyst skies seemed rather foreboding. The crackles of bloody light were growing closer, releasing terrifying explosions with each arc that rippled through space; tremors ran over the city of darkness and silver, stretching over the horizon. High in the skies, past the layers of the atmosphere, the denizens of Nocturne stared up one by one at the ominous clouds crawling closer.

Above the city, for all to see, was a hologram of the count down. No more than three hours left on the count.

Just off the surface of my castle, standing over the clouds, stood an army of Tenebrae, of a million. A small number compared to the trillions that resided over each category five planet, carrying on average seven quadrillions of sentient minds, it was a drop in the ocean. A meaningless number not meant to damage the armies I knew were coming. Destruction was not the plan. At least not in the first phase of this festival.

The wind billowed gently, caressing my long ashen hair, fluttering wildly through its embrace. I stood firm when the soft arm of Nyx, a friend, a sister, bore me a sweet smile. " Are you ready, My King?" She slightly jeered, trying to hold back the anticipation looming over Nocturne. "From here on out, everything will change."

To her side laid Adrienne, arms folded firmly, her expression dark, holding a far better picture of what was going to ensue, I was sure. War was coming, and it wasn't going to be pretty. Not for anyone, especially those of the abyss.

An oppressive silence ensued once more, leaving only the fearful thumping of hearts pounding against my army's chest. Hours were slipping away with each blink, each thought that raced through my mind.

"I think it's a good time to tell you this," Lilith suddenly said, leaning her head over my shoulder, cracking a smile, and my heart sunk from that damnable grin.

"I put a baby in you. Leave me alone," I pleaded, not wishing to hear what she had to say. Nothing ever good came from Lilith when she had that mischievous grin, "keep it to yourself."

"Well, to make things fair. There needs to be a system of consequences regarding equivalents and exchange." She calmly explained and looked up at me, "There is a great price you have yet to pay. Your Shadowfell have all awoken, and faithful to your command, they have begun a quest to convert individuals. To keep things fair, I had Izavith take hold of this task of dishing out your punishment if you cannot pay your debt."

I groaned in despair, "You're loving this, aren't you."

"Nonsense," Said Lilith, but the smile on her face only grew, " I'm carrying your child. If you cannot survive, I would be forced to raise Arsene number two!."

"We are not calling it that." I coldly snapped, shaking my head.

"Then don't die." She responded in kind, shrugging without care, " To make things a bit fair. I know you will do well. So pick three people quickly. It looks like you have less than a minute." She pointed out as my gaze locked onto the turbulent cloud-ready to devour the planet of nocturne. Crackling with a power that made my deepest fear rise, I shouted.

"Freya, Ezra, Zan, you three with me! The rest of you follow Order 22; it should cover everything in case of my separation." I thundered out, sending out a few commands one after another.

Karr chuckled, and before everyone, he opened his hands, where a small double-sided dagger with a unique curved hilt with a deeper curvature than any other handle I had ever seen materialized. " This should cover some of your debt, my lord. I hope to see you again, "he said with a bow, leaping away, making distance.

Holding the dagger in my palm, I sent a nod to my loyal chancellor when the cloud crashed into the world city of Nocturne. Earthquakes cracked over my city, erupting with chasms that stretched far in wide into the underbelly of my city. Not many were killed, but chaos erupted like a wildfire, storming not just over Nocturne but the known realm of Noctem.

We were enveloped by a haze of black smoke and clouds, tainted with blood-red light, twirling with intangible might.

Lilith's icy voice seemed to resound without emotion or familiarity. "Greetings, denizens of the Exalted Wheel." She started, her voice regal and serene. "For too long, we of the Abyss have been exiled, forced to wander the Abyss. But no more. I, Lilith Snow, Daughter of the Abyss, welcome you the the the Festival of Blood."

Holding my breath as she continued, my vision faded to black as an overwhelming force struck my soul, scarring my Soul Flame. My eyes snapped open to a world of vibrance. The skies were not blood red like I had thought them to be, nor was it ghastly. It was a vibrant blue, skimming past the horizon as two twin suns glared. Surrounding me was the screeching of birds, the chirping of insects fluttering about aimlessly, and the faint echos of beast rustling in the bushes. The grass was a luscious green, teaming with an abundance of life and, oddly enough, divinity. I could feel the Divinity pour through its body through its veins, empowering the very grass, trees, and skies.

"What is this place?" I muttered aloud, staggering to stand as the searing heat against my soul melded its way into my head. My mind had become clouded. Grunting at the pounding-headache rattling within my head, I leaned against the trunk of a tree and pushed my senses out, trying to get a grasp of my location. But to my dismay, my Divine Sense seemed to barely cover five meters around me.

"You have got to be kidding me. What the hell is going on?" I barked, narrowing my eyes as I held onto my stomach at the racing heat building. "I'm hungry as well? Oh, screw you, Lili; why is it every time you do something, I get screwed over. Good God, I hope my people can complete their mission. "