I'd be a fool not to risk it. And it's not like I can't re-adapt in a hundred short years. Unlike before, I pretty much mastered the Art of Adaptation.
I wonder what I will become.
"Do it," I said to Lily.
She giggled evilly. " Good. Very good. Don't worry, Arsene. I won't make your size smaller."
"HEY!"
"I kid… Maybe."
Before I shouted, a strange pull tugged at my soul as the black flames that were my soul began to pulsate. As if it was reaching a different frequency, I felt a strange energy trickle into me. The Qi was different from normal Abyssal Qi, which was so chaotic.
This energy felt pure and orderly, far in contrast with what I knew about the Abyss, which was the living embodiment of Chaos… It reminded me of Zariel.
"Arsene?" Said Lily.
"Hmm?"
"I'm going to give you a temp body. The shard needs time to attune itself to your soul. It seems your Forsaken Heritage is quite attuned to the Abyss… I wonder why?"
"The Forsaken's. I've no idea who they are… but I think I'll visit Mother's Grave. It's time I visit her… I wonder if she'll talk to me this time."
"Arsene,"
"I know. The dead don't talk, but… I can still hopefully wish, can't I?" I dreamily replied. "Do it, Lily."
Closing my senses to the outside world, I felt a sudden tightness unfold around me. Mobility had returned, but there was a great awkwardness. It was like wearing clothing that was way too tight.
"You can leave this black hole… I'll need a few years to get attuned and a few hundred to recreate your new body."
Opening a Gate to Noctem to the temple of Night in Nocturne, I nodded and stepped through, feeling too awkward in my skin…. It felt disgusting.
"MASTER!!!!!"
"Oh? Your alive?" I surprisingly said to Freya and Ezra.
I'd actually forgotten about them. Holy shit. Are Layla and Darkmane fine as well? Jesus, I am a bad king, lol.
"Of course we are alive!' Snapped Ezra puffing her cheeks. " Lilith snatched us up just as a blast of light came down. You should see the level of destruction. It's insane. The Eben Forest is gone. There only a pillar of Dead Laws now."
"Yep. But Lilith said it would be the best place to build a base."
'..."
'Master?"
"How long has it been?"
"Two hundred years," said a sweet voice. " Two hundred years of me waiting on rice balls."
Turning to Lilith as she stepped around the corridor to the main hall and entered the Temple of Night with a bright smile, she puffed her cheeks and smiled." I'm hungry."
I smiled and stared down at the little ones cooking in her oven. " Our daughter talked to me. Seems she inherited my Madness."
"I think you mean us." Corrected my wife, drawing close with a tempting smile. " I…Oh?" She frowned, taking my pulse. "Sene? What are you?"
My heart dipped, and a bitter smile marred my lips. " Just a little setback. Lily is recreating me a body."
"Is she now?" Lilith said with ice in her voice. "Using the Abyssal Fragment?"
"Big Sis, it's fine; nothing will…."
"Lily, did you explain to Sene that if he goes through with this, he'll attract the Myriad Gods?"
"Excuse me?"
Lilith leaned close and trailed her tongue up my cheek, turning me on instantly, " Dead Laws and Abyssal Shards are like the finest crack. Arsene creating a body isn't what's wrong, but every Myriad God will be gunning for my Sene. All of them and those skanky bitches!"
"..."
"Excuse me? Did you say bitches?"
"Keep tempting me… I don't mind strapping you to the bed and lighting the house on fire."
"As long as you ride me as we burn, I don't mind." I teased, watching her blush, licking her lips as she eyed me like meat.
My word. I know Lili is crazy, but really? That's what gets her wet?
"How are Layla and Darkmane?" I decided to change the topic. I wasn't about to touch my wife with such a body. It was weird, but I'd never felt so disgusted with myself as I am right now. Is this what it feels to be insecure?
"Darkmane lost an arm, and Layla was blinded before Lilith got us out." Said Freya when suddenly her eyes went dead.
I glanced at Lilith, and she shook her head. She spoke in a soul whisper. "Talk to Zariel about this one. As the God of Order. He is responsible for all this. He's fulfilling his end."
"What does that mean?"
Lilith shot me a look, and I frowned. "She's mine."
"I know."
"No, you don't… She is mine, Lilith. Whatever she was before is gone. Her soul, her heart, her everything is mine." I coldly declared.
I closed my eyes and turned to Freya as the light slowly began to return. "There currently in the infirmary," She continued, seemingly unaware that time had passed.
My finger clenched, and I nodded. "How are the preparations for war going?"
"Excellent! We didn't need a draft. We have plenty of volunteers." She paused again, and I simply waited, "We have over a million soldiers armed with weapons that can cut any High God."
"I see," I said. "Ezra, are you ready?"
"What about Iluthath?" She asked hesitantly.
"Are you ready," I asked again in a harder tone.
Straightening up like a good soldier, she nodded and clasped her arm over her chest. "Yes, my king."
"Good. You will be the commander. Decide on two paragons. Freya, come with me." I commanded, leaving the Temple of Night.
Feeling Lilith and Freya shadowing my step in silence, I entered my chambers and closed the door as they entered.
"What is going on with you, Freya?"
"What do you—"
"Freya, do not test my patience. You are a High God. Are you telling me you can't tell the passage of time that passes when you zone out?"
Bowing her head, a river fall of jet black hair covered her beautiful face. " Master… I'm sorry."
"The hell is going on?"
"I'm… I don't know." She stammered. " But…"
"Zariel! I know you're there! You little shit! Don't make me tell Aurelia how you used to shit in the bath! Get your ass over here!"
"Who the hell are you talking to?" My dear brother flashed with bandages covering his body.
"Come at me, brah!"
'Brah!"
'Brah!"
"Brah!"
"Brah!"
"ENOUGH!" Lily shouted. " The hell are you two doing?"
(A/N: Who else does this? Or is it just me)
Eyes locked, our feet simultaneously flashed as I employed shadow slash. I aimed right at the family jewels, just as he aimed at mine.
"NUTSHOT!!!"