Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

That dummy! Dummy! He was back and didn't say anything! I bet he was wetting his cock! Curse you, Master! I could have don't that for you!

Glaring at the glowing holocube, I sighed and stepped into the council room where the Dukes of Noctem sat. Annoyed with an icy grimace, I could not find anyone who seemed too happy. There was only worry.

"So when is he coming?" Duke Dorrium questioned, folding his arms as he glared profusely at me.

"Agreed, it'll be so nice to speak with 'our' king." Duke Telvian mocked. "How much longer should we wait?"

"You'll wait till he arrives." Layla Ozul, the only Shadowfell aside from me, snapped. "Your seamless commentary is giving me cancer. Shut your mouth."

Finding my seat between Layla and Councilor Karr, who had not shown any expression. I spoke out. " Master only asked that I summon you." Pausing for a second, surveying the other dukes, I continued with a challenging smile. " But if you'll like, I don't mind telling our king that you got bored and decided to leave."

The dukes grew silent and I could just feel the humiliation prickling their skin, giving rise to goosebumps.

Noctem had never seen a king before, only a prince. An unofficial prince. But there was someone who not only had the throne of darkness but was chosen by Tenebrae to rule.

"Now, where is Duke Darkmane?" I casually mention seeing one missing Duke.

"He'll not be joining." A familiar voice remarked. Not needing to turn my head as the doors opened, I already knew who it was. "By Master's will, Duke Darkmane will no longer be a part of our kingdom; however, his family will be allowed to keep its titled and face the mercy of our King's wrath in light of the help he gave me in the Bed of Chaos."

,m Taking a seat on the other side of Karr, Mimir flashed me a cheeky smile. " Sup. You are looking good as always. I'm sure Master will have something nice to look at."

"Perhaps," I wishfully said, trying to blush although… I'm sure everyone could tell.

"So where is Master? I've got some idiots from the Court of Nox trying to build an insurgency in the bed of chaos."

"You still ruling by fear?" Karr remarked, but Mimir shook his head, waving off his concern.

"Naw. I got Idunn to rule over the Bed of Chaos. They love her. With her blessing, all worlds under her are benefiting so well that I believe this might be the only era that held such peace."

"Well, after such a blood bath, I'd expect you put the fear of the Nines in just about everyone," said Duke Telvian, curling his lips upwards. " I'd not be surprised if they are just holding out till you all believe they've forgotten."

Mimir chuckled and nodded. " Well. Master will not have an issue with wiping out entire generations. There will always be a growing insurrection in politics. We can try all we like, but one or two groups will grow, and it's what Master wants. And for that reason alone, we allowed Duke Darkmane to defect."

"Convoluted politics," Karr muttered for everyone to hear. "He wants issues. Not major ones that can result in death, but ones that push each side to the left and right. With controversy, hate, love, greed… all seven sins will exist."

"Ding Ding Ding!" The glorious voice of Master said as he appeared in a sea of black nodes materializing out of thin air. "Such a wonderful system. And the funny thing is. No matter what I do, it'll happen. Groups will form out of a difference in opinion and somehow find fault with others. So is the curse of free will."

Master skimmed over the dukes and duchesses, and his cold unfeely eyes landed on me for a second, and my heart dipped in the most pleasurable way. " Freya, my lovely Knight, how have things been? Have my dukes decided to betray?"

"A few but not enough to result in death," I playfully said, watching as everyone around grew petrified. "It will seem like they can't grasp the concept of keeping their mouth shut and that there is no such thing as a joke in politics." My eyes snapped to every Duke aside from Layla and Karr, who remained still. "But they've been pretty good."

Master chuckled, "They say you can't rule through fear, but I always disagree. I think fear is the most fundamental way to rule. It just takes different forms. But enough with the theatrics. I've got a mission for my dukes." He paused, shifting his scarlet eyes to me, " Freya, I need you on Iluthath. I've decided you will be the new Monarch of the Bed of Chaos/ Iluthath. You will head to the Eben Forest. The rest of the dukes will begin gathering armies all around Noctom." ????????????????e????????. ????૦????

"I've already instructed they do, Master." Mimir quickly interjected, " However, I did restrict how much they can recruit. 30% less than you, my lord."

Master nodded in approval. " Good. Now send word to the Plane of Oblivian to the Pale Lord. I want…"

"Sealed, I'm afraid," I said, rising to my feet. " Something strange is going on there, Master. None of us can enter."

"Fine. I'll deal with the Pale Lord personally. Now next course of business. Mimir. I need Vaevictis to move. The core members. I need them to come with Freya. The Court of Nox needs to die. Oh, and… let's see. Layla, and where the hell is Darkmane? That retarded bastard thinks I won't fuck him up?"

"He defected, my lord. You gave him—"

"He can leave, but he'll always be a fucking duke. Call his ass up! That bastard will forever be under my boot. What the fuck do I look like just giving freedom? He's a damn paragon. Are you stupid? He's the only bastard who had the fucking balls to challenge me! The rest of you bitches pale in comparison to him and Layla. Grow some fucking balls and make some waves."

"Now then, and this is important," Master remarked, ignoring the ugly faces of the dukes. When Vaevivtus arrives with Freya in the Eben Forest, I need the rest of you to begin preparing to take over the Nine Hells. And if we've got time, the Seven Heavens. Balor is missing. And if Zantar is around, we can deal with him together. This is the perfect time to control these two Major Realms."