Assassinroid''s head bobbed up and down the young boy''s length, her magenta eyes and mind glazed over from the ecstasy devastating her entire body. The feeling of Luka''s entire girth filling her mouth had lit a fire inside her that was quickly burning away any self-restraint the Monster had left, and that inferno was only growing larger by the second.


    The pheromones she was tasked to use on the boy permeated the room like a mist, helping to further cloud Assassinroid''s mind. Soon, the Chimera wouldn''t be able to hold anything back.


    Slurp


    Luka moaned softly in his sleep, spurring her to suck harder. She wanted to hear more of him, feel more of him.


    Sluuurp


    Assassinroid could taste a sample of what was to come from the boy and swallowed it down hungrily.


    Sluuuuuurp


    Her mission, her purpose, her mind, everything was fading away into an inescapable carnality.


    POP


    Assassinroid choked after releasing his member, panting furiously to catch her breath. The Chimera gasped and heaved, only partially aware of the fact that her depraved noises were filling the room in a very un-covert manner. But it didn''t matter now...


    ...Not when her brain was melting.


    Pushing herself into a squatting position, the Chimera hovered over the still-sleeping Luka who had begun to breath harder himself. Assassinroid grabbed the bottom of her borrowed nightgown, nearly ripping it while pulling it past her hips. Once pulled up far enough, the Monster''s quivering vulva was revealed, ripe and ready to be penetrated.


    A lustful grin grew on Assassinroid''s face, and the Monster began lining up herself for the point of no return.


    Assassinroid pressed her wet vulva against the base of the twelve-year-old''s member, slowly dragging herself farther and farther up his shaft until his head was right at the entrance of her inviting lips. The sleeping boy quivered at the depraved "kiss" between their most intimate areas, another light moan escaping his lips. Yet, Luka did not do more than stir.


    For a moment, the Chimera thought of stopping.


    Luka was asleep for now, but surely, the young boy would wake up if she actually went as far as to impale herself on him. If something like that happened, then her Master''s plans would certainly be ruined; all so that she could take away the boy''s innocence.


    However, the thought of such a thing occurring, of Luka waking up to her mounting him, just made the Monster all the more excited. Assassinroid leaned forward and dropped her knees on either side of the boy''s petite body, entrapping him between her powerful legs. The bed beneath the two creaked as the Chimera bent over even more, placing both hands on the mattress as she lined up Luka''s penis with her awaiting vulva.


    Assassinroid''s perverted smirk grew as she felt the tip of his member poke right at her quivering entrance and the Chimera began to move down, ready to steal away the boy''s virginity and claim his as her''s...


    ...And then the door opened.


    Assissinroid froze, the cloud of lust fizzling away at the abrupt noise. The Monster could feel her body grow cold as she slowly turned to see the one person she had forgotten, the one person whose footsteps the usually alert Assassinroid should''ve heard but had missed in her haze of lust. Standing in the doorway was Lucifina, who wore a face of absolute horror.


    However, the horror on the Seraph''s face morphed into unrestrained hatred.


    Lucifina''s mouth stretched into a thin line, a single demand barely able hiss out from her lips, "Get... Off... NOW." Something in the air changed as Lucifina''s blue eyes bore into the Monster''s magenta ones, the Chimera could sense it now.


    Assassinroid swiftly left the bed like a scolded dog, dropping hunched onto all fours as she crept away from the bed. The Chimera''s haywiring brain was having difficulty focusing, but even then she could realize the gravity of the situation.


    Lucifina kept her death glare as she strode towards Luka. The Seraph did not break her gaze, but her anger grew as she could see in her peripheral how Luka''s white nightwear had been forcefully pulled up to reveal his privacy. Lucifina felt another great wave of rage hit her, cursing the fact that the night clothes she had changed her son into while he was unconscious lead to this Monster being able to more easily violate his body.


    Lucifina watched as the Monster tensely stood in the middle of the room, watching her every move with those awful magenta eyes. Undeterred, Lucifina grabbed her son''s clothing and fixed it back over him, disgust coming to her as she inadvertently felt the result of this Monster''s work. Lucifina then grabbed the blanket, pulling it over the boy in a last attempt to save his modesty.


    With no other goal in mind, the wrathful Seraph began to stalk towards the intruding Chimera. Seeing the scorned Seraph approaching, Assassinroid began to retreat towards the bedroom window. Lucifina''s fist trembled, she would not allow it to be that easy.


    In the blink of an eye, the Mother cleared the gap between the two and grabbed the creature by the hair in a vice grip before it could even attempt to escape. The Chimera yelped as Lucifina pulled her towards the window, quickly opening it with one hand. With terrifying strength that the Mother should not have, she tossed the Monster head-first out the bedroom window.


    Assassinroid rolled and skidded to a stop along the muddy ground, her face morphing into an angry grimace as her hardened eyes glared at the Seraph through her wetting turquoise hair.


    CRRAAACCKK


    A flash of lightning illuminated Lucifina as she climbed through her son''s bedroom window, closing it behind her with barely restrained fury. Assassinroid stood upright, unsheathing her claws and scythe as the Seraph approached. More thunder reverberated all around the two as the small field outside the house was made alit by a lone string of lightning in the distance. Silently, the two glared each other down.


    Lucifina stood as the epitome of determination and rage, her body shaking with a power that had been long dormant and now burst at the seams to be released.


    Assassinroid, meanwhile, was beside herself with confusion at Lucifina''s showing of power. Everything she had observed made her conclude that Lucifina was a shell of her former glory and halfway to being considered handicapped. Yet here she was throwing her around like a child. However, this would not deter the Chimera now. She would have the boy even if she''d have to dirty her hands with the blood of his Mother.


    "Mine..." Assassinroid snarled at Lucifina, who briefly flinched at the word before realizing what the Chimera was referring to.


    Lucifina''s eyes grew cold, a long and forgotten bloodlust starting to seep back into them as Assassinroid raised her scythe to the Seraph, her other hand''s claws drawn and held close to her body just in case the Seraph got too close for comfort. However, despite the Hybrid Monster''s startling capabilities in combat, it paled in comparison to the furious Seraph standing before her.


    For while Assassinroid was built to be a killer, Lucifina was one.


    Hundreds of thousands of souls slaughtered during the Great Monster Wars could attest to the Seraph''s prowess.


    "I''ll have your head..." Lucifina''s voice was a whisper, but Assassinroid could hear it clearly despite the wailing winds around them, "...For violating my SON!" The Seraph stomped her right foot forward, pushing against the ground to launch towards the Monster at a frightening pace, the Angel''s hair and soaked nightgown whipping around due to the velocity of the charge.


    With her left shoulder aimed forward, Lucifina reared her right first and slung it straight ahead to smash Assassinroid in the face. The Chimera gawked for a breath too long, only able to pull away just enough so that Lucifina''s punch only grazed her face. The Seraph''s knee, however, successfully planted itself directly up and into the Monster''s gut. Despite feeling as though her intestines had been rearranged, the Monster pushed Lucifina away with a forearm and cut through the air with her scythe.


    The wild attack managed to earn a deep gash on the Angel''s left arm, but the spurting of blood did little to stop the frenzied Seraph. Lucifina grabbed onto the spot where Assassinroid''s scythe connected to her arm and violently ripped it off completely!


    Assassinroid screeched both in pain and surprise as the large weapon was discarded by Lucifina, but she was quickly cut off as the Seraph went low and shouldered the Monster up before shooting the two towards the forest behind Assassinroid.


    Whizzing through the air, Lucifina crashed them into a tree. The Chimera was driven back-first into the bark, of which the bits of tree exploded around the impact as she screamed in pain. Lucifina moved back for a moment, inspecting the Monster with an unnerving grin.


    The Seraph''s enjoyment of her handiwork ended quickly as she made a sudden, belated observation: The white nightgown that the Monster was wearing was one of Lucifina''s.


    Not noticing it before in her initial shock, Lucifina now felt the wrathful fire within her burn with renewed fury. The Seraph reached out with both hands, grabbing the dress by the collar and ripping it down the middle with ease. The purpling and bruised flesh of the Monster was now bare before the Angel, who looked on with disgust.


    "You try to rape my son whilst wearing my clothes..." She swiftly pressed her left hand into the Monster''s throat, eliciting a choked gurgle from her. Assassinroid''s hands feebly reached up to stop the overwhelming onslaught but was stopped as Lucifina squeezed down on her windpipe. The Seraph readied her opposite fist, "...I will beat you to Death!"


    And beat the Monster she did, releasing an onslaught of fists, elbows, knees, whatever she needed to do to punish the Monster that had dared to touch her son. The rain grew more intense as Assassinroid - somehow still standing - took the full brunt of the assault, her body now devastated by the attack.


    Lucifina raised her bloodied first one last time, a macabre smile plastered on her face as her bright sapphire eyes bore into her victim. At this point, the Seraph was taking far too much enjoyment in tormenting the Chimera. Assassinroid was nearly limp, only holding on by the minuscule amount of energy left inside her. But at this point, she could do nothing to stop the Seraph.


    CRAAA-AAACKK


    Another large bolt of lightning struck overhead, illuminating the one-sided brutalization. "Now..." Lucifina said, pulling the fist back far behind her. "...To finish you off for good." Before she finally ended the Chimera''s life, Lucifina came to a sudden stop. A look of confusion grew on her face, for the Seraph noticed a peculiar brightness illuminating the Monster. Lucifina''s blue eyes widened as she let out a gasp, dropping the Monster immediately.


    Assassinroid''s body fell with a disgusting splat, a low and pitiful whine coming from her mouth as she laid there, unable to even move.


    Lucifina looked around, her bright blue eyes searched around desperately before finding a large puddle of water on the ground; Lucifina sprinted right to the edge as she looked on, desperate for an answer she already knew deep-down. She gazed into the small pool, her stomach knotting up as she looked upon her disturbed reflection.


    Blood was splattered all over the Seraph, from the gushing of crimson from her left arm to all of the mutilated Monster''s blood coating her once white nightgown. The Seraph would look much like a Monster herself, if not for the large white wings jutting from her back and the golden Halo hovering above her matted golden-brown hair.


    Lucifina muttered incoherently as she started shaking her head in disbelief, unable to accept what she was seeing. Her rage, her fury, it had reawakened her Angelic Powers without Lucifina even realizing it. She looked down at her blood-soaked hands and body, her revulsion building at the sight.


    ''Luka, Marcellus... what would they think if they were to see me like this?'' Tensing, the fully-awakened Seraph turned to the Monster she had beaten, wondering if it had even survived the onslaught.


    Peering over to the dirtied and bloodied mass of flesh on the ground, Lucifina shivered at her handiwork, the Chimera lying face down in the mud and absolutely drenched in rain as displayed by the soaked and ripped nightgown barely clinging to her body. Lucifina could see the Monster trembling, whether it be from the pain or the cold rain, she wasn''t sure.


    The Seraph slowly approached the downed Monster, scrutinizing every movement it made. She watched as it labored to push itself upright, only being able to get so far before her trembling became nearly violent, and she collapsed once again. Assassinroid''s eyes became visible as she turned her head, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the Seraph looking down at her only a handful of meters away.


    Lucifina watched silently as the Monster tried to crawl away feebly. Lucifina watched the display with a mix of disgust and pity, not entirely sure what to do with her son''s would-be abuser.


    ''Why delay the inevitable? Just gut the abomination now and get over with it.''


    The Seraph froze, aghast at the coldness of her own thoughts. ''No, that''s what the Lucifina under Ilias''s control would do... I don''t kill anymore.'' Lucifina continued stepping forward to the panic-stricken Assassinroid, who was starting to claw at the ground uselessly in an attempt to escape her.


    ''And to what end would sparing this creature serve, exactly? She tried to rape my son, my son. To take away the only thing I have left in this World is a sin punishable by butchering.''


    Lucifina was close enough now that her ethereal glow illuminated Assassinroid''s bruised and bleeding body. The Seraph grimaced, nausea building at the sight of what she had done. ''And go back on everything I''ve done since leaving Heaven? I was the one who had convinced Marcellus to stop killing Monsters in the name of revenge, how could I be so hypocritical as to go back on that now?''


    Lucifina was within arm''s length now, able to see the terror in the Monster''s bright magenta eyes. Lucifina recognized the look all too well, as she had seen it so many times during her time serving Ilias.


    ''This beast was already molesting my son. She surely would''ve taken his virginity too if we were too late; that is, if the whore hadn''t already done so...'' Lucifina''s entire body tightened, ''Who''s to say this was the first time she''s abused my son? Maybe she had already been doing this for weeks, or even months!? Either way, she surely had to at least touch Luka in order for him to be like that. That alone is reason enough to eviscerate her right now!''


    Lucifina''s right hand began to emit a bright white glow. Assassinroid shook ever stronger at the display, able to feel the Holy Power radiating from the Seraph. The Monster shook, fear clutching at her heart as the Angel''s palm drew closer by the second. The Chimera closed her eyes in an attempt to accept her fate as the hand of her opponent drew closer to her.


    However, instead of obliterating Assassinroid, the Seraph grabbed the Monster by her hair once more. Lucifina bowed down, bringing herself down to eye-level with the intruder. She pulled the Chimera close, "Leave... NOW."


    Lucifina then roughly pushed the Monster back, not even watching as the beaten creature hurriedly crawled away, leaving a trail of blood behind her. Lucifina looked back to her house, a storm of emotions brewing inside her. She could feel her cursed power flowing as her thoughts screamed at her to turn around and finish the job, to disembowel Assassinroid before she escaped.


    The one thing stopping her now, though, was remembering what remained in her home.


    Lucifina couldn''t see Luka but could feel him inside there, still sleeping as soundly as she had been before. "Luka..." The Seraph whispered out as she clenched a fist, waves of disgust and anger hitting her. All the years of repression were driving her Angelic instincts into overdrive. The bloodlust, the craving to slaughter, all of those urges were coming back to her.


    As much as she hated to admit it, Lucifina was aware enough to realize that she was in a very fragile place mentally. She hadn''t even had her powers unsealed for a day, yet she had nearly lost control that quickly. There was only one person she could turn to for help now, and she had to do it quick if she wanted to ensure Luka''s safety.


    "...I''m sorry, my son." Lucifina muttered sadly, hating how weak she had become so easily. With a single flap of her wings, Lucifina rose high into the sky amongst the storm clouds, disappearing in a flash of lightning.


    <hr noshade="noshade" size="1">


    The storm now over Ilias Village was quite large. Large enough, in fact, that it spanned the entirety of the Ilias Continent and even bleed onto the southern coast cities of Sentora. It was a record-breaking storm size, possibly.


    However, no one would wish to be out of their homes long enough to confirm this. Anyone unlucky enough to be caught outside in the rain would find themselves in a very treacherous situation.


    Luckily enough, being on the Ilias Continent meant that any Humans seeking shelter could rush to any one of the many Churches of Ilias to seek sanctuary from the storm, as long as they were a believer of the Goddess. Nonbelievers were welcome to stay out in the rain to find their own manner of sanctuary.


    San Ilia, one of the southernmost cities of the large Continent of Sentora, also had many of these Temples that one could take shelter in. Due to it being a fairly compact city, not many residents actually needed to utilize this privilege. However, on the outskirts of this large city, there was a single lone believer who was using an older, now-abandoned religious hub as shelter from the onslaught of rain pouring down.


    In this run-down Temple outside of San Ilia, this girl was kneeling down in the very first row in the darkened Temple, her head hung low and hands clasped together in front of her petite form. She was young, appearing to be no older than fourteen or fifteen years old; her soft face could be considered Angelic to some, especially when put in conjunction with her bright blue eyes and waist-length blonde hair.


    Topping her blonde locks was a blue and white habit, one typically found on Nuns of the region. Her light blue dress matched this, with the white collar matching the white band on her hat. Her arms were modestly covered in dark gray sleeves ending in white cuffs. Similarly, any part of her legs not covered by the skirt of her dress was clothed by dark gray stockings that paired nicely with her dark gray shoes.


    At a glance, any man or woman of Ilias would assume this young girl to be a sparkling example of what a pious follower of the Goddess of Light should be.


    The girl had been traveling for a long time and had finally been able to enter what could be classified as "Ilias Country". While not a part of the Ilias Continent, a place she prayed she''d be able to visit someday, San Ilia was perhaps the holiest city outside of the aforementioned Continent. Until she was able to venture there, she''d continue hopefully praying for her salvation. For, this was truly no ordinary little girl...


    A loud bang reverberated throughout the Temple''s hallowed halls and the girl whipped around, frightened by the sudden sound. "Wh-Who''s there!?" It was very unlikely that anyone would be there, she had made sure of that for specific and personal reasons. The young nun desired there to be very few other worshipers in the Temple, if there couldn''t be none at all.


    No answer came, but the girl knew someone was there as she could sense a dark presence inside the Church.


    ''Could it be a Monster? Oh, Ilias, please, I hope not!'' The thought caused the little girl to mutter Prayers to herself so that she may have protection against the forces of evil. However, she was not so lucky, as said force of evil right outside the doors showed up whenever and wherever she felt like doing so. The darkened foyer of the Temple grew alit as the main doors were practically flung open, a strike of lightning accompanying the act a little too conveniently.


    "Ahhhh," A raspy voice trilled out, the voice''s figure waltzing inside with something akin to a skip in her step. "I had always thought these places as somewhat pompous, but I have to admit that there is something to the majesty that just feels right." As the woman spoke, she continued skipping forward lackadaisically, seemingly ignorant of the shaking girl in front of the prayer hall.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    She continued forward, slowly revealing herself as she drew nearer to the scared woman''s bright carmine eyes stared up at the enormous stained-glass window of Ilias at the head of the prayer hall, a slight twinge of disgust playing on her face as she viewed the piece of "art". She snickered, the act slightly ruffling the white apron lying atop her blue dress.


    "Hmmm, mighty tacky for a Goddess, isn''t it?" Her pale green hair swished as she looked about the Temple. "Personally, I''d rather have whole monuments carved out the sides of mountains. Let the whole countryside know who rules the world just by walking outside."


    This late-night visitor to one of Ilias''s Temple was the Former Monster Lord: Black Alice.


    The girl, not knowing of the Monster''s identity and having heard enough of her babbling, worked up enough courage to call out to her. "Have you no shame!? To disrespect the Goddess''s name in her own house of worship!? The audacity!" Black Alice immediately locked in on the child, a sight that immediately caused her to deflate.


    "Aha, almost forgot about you, Sofia." The woman steadfastly approached, her black shoes clacking horribly against the stone floor as she rapidly crossed the room.


    Sofia''s bright blue eyes enlarged, and the girl backed away quickly as the woman neared her. "How do... how do you know my name!?" The older woman gave no answer, continuing to approach the child. "S-Stay a-away! I know what you are, you''re a Monster! Demons like you don''t b-belong in a house of worship!"


    Black Alice''s face broke out into a wide, disturbed grin. "Funny you mention the term "Monster", considering what you are. Here, let me remind you." The Former Monster Lord snapped a finger, instantly powering down a spell the girl had woven on herself.


    "NOOOO!" The girl wailed in disbelief as her spell disbanded, her previously human legs reverting back into their original form: A long green snake-like tail that was easily over half her body''s length. Right inside the Temple of Ilias was a Monster, one that prayed to the Goddess despite her hatred for such creatures.


    The carmine eyes of Black Alice watched the pathetic display with a twinge of disappointment. ''Is this really how low the current generation of Monsters have fallen?'' She thought disappointedly. ''To be so lacking in self-worth that they stoop to worshiping a Goddess that wants them eradicated, how far did things fall in the last five-hundred years?''


    Forcing a gentler tone in her voice, Black Alice asked, "Now, now, certainly this isn''t something to get all worked up over, is it?" The little Lamia glared at her through her frustrated tears.


    "Of course it is! You revealed th-this u-u-ugliness of mine inside of a Temple of the Great Goddess Ilias! What if she were to see me now, displaying this sin inside such a Holy place!?" Black Alice bit her tongue to stop the berating that she was desperate to bestow onto this misguided fool of a Lamia, but she was able to press on with the act she needed to give to make this ridiculous plan work.


    "Oh, don''t fret about that, young one. The Goddess," A great deal of effort went into not spitting venom while uttering the title, "Is infinitely forgiving, especially towards those who worship her so greatly." The older Monster felt herself sick just by saying such a thing, but it seemed to brighten Sofia''s disposition some.


    "R-Really?" Sofia asked hopefully, "I know all of her teachings talk of such things, but I was afraid that her contempt for Monster would overrule her capacity for forgiveness." The blue bow on top of Black Alice''s head bounced some as she let out a somewhat bitter giggle. "Oh, but of course, she saved me after all so surely she could save you as well."


    Ignoring the bile rising up her throat at her own words, the Former Monster Lord watched the small Lamia practically glow with happiness at her words. "Is this really true? Even I can be saved!?" Sofia paused, recognizing a detail from what the older Monster had said. "Wait, you said Ilias has already saved you?"


    Black Alice chuckled bitterly, "Oh yes, she saved me, young one..."


    ''Despite the fact I would have rather died on that day.'' The dark thought rang through her head unpleasantly.


    "Wow, I never would have thought that the Goddess of Light would be willing to spare our disgusting kind. Her mercy really is infinite!" Sofia exclaimed, a wide smile growing on her face.


    Black Alice gritted her teeth but halted her tongue on the matter to rush through the process quicker. "It is, and in fact, she has sent with me a great "gift" to all devout Monsters!" The little Lamia beamed as the older Monster summoned a large slab of stone. It was an ugly, chipped, and worn-down block of rock. One could only assume that whoever picked out the stone searched for hours to find the most hideous, most awful-looking rock in all of creation.


    Considering the fact that Ilias herself chose the stone, this was no mistake.


    On the front face of the stone was etched this inscription:


    <hr noshade="noshade" size="1">


    Ilias''s Six Commandments To Monsters


    1) Your Kind Shalt Not Have Intercourse With Humans


    - Your bodies are not worthy of engaging in intimacy with my followers. Reject your base instincts and embrace chastity.


    2) Your Kind Shalt Not Fraternize With Humans


    - Only the very bare minimum of communication is allowed. If something is needed of you, my legion will call. Otherwise, keep to yourselves.


    3) Your Kind Shalt Be Dutiful In Their Prayers


    - Devote your life to prayer, know nothing else but devotion and submission to your Goddess.


    4) Your Kind Shalt Not Turn Their Claws Towards Their Goddess


    - Mutineers will be cast into the hellfire, know nothing else but submission to your Goddess''s will.


    5) Your Kind Shalt Convert, Or They Will Perish


    - You are to convert as many of your sinful kind as you can. If they are not compliant, then they are only fit for damnation.


    6) Your Kind Will Aid In Upholding Ilias''s Glory


    - You will assist your Goddess in her fight against your sinful brethren. If they do not submit, they are the enemy.


    <hr noshade="noshade" size="1">


    The Lamia gasped upon reading the title, hand covering her mouth in shock. "It-It cannot be, truly?"


    Black Alice rolled her eyes, an action that went unnoticed by the snake girl, who kept reading down the stone tablet with reverence. "Your eyes do not deceive you. This is the real deal, handwritten by Ilias herself, who certainly took many painstaking hours to bestow such wisdom onto us."


    ''Heh, more likely that it took her a couple minutes, at best. Hell, she probably just made Eden reuse and edit the other Commandments to save time...'' Black Alice thought to herself.


    "How blessed are we to have such a charitable Goddess! This is deserving of a prayer of thanks." The blonde-haired Lamia exclaimed, looked up to her senior with admiration as she outstretched a hand. "Will you join me in sending gratitude to Ilias?"


    At the question, the Former Monster Lord seemed to get reluctant. "Ehhh, well, probably not. I, uh, prayed before I got here, you know. Wouldn''t want to send too many prayers to her now."


    Sofia''s face shrunk, "...Ah, yes. I suppose Ilias wouldn''t want to have to see so many tainted prayers." Black Alice''s carmine eyes flashing with disappointment again at her fellow Monster''s self-loathing behavior, spurring her to turn and walk away. "Yes, well I will be taking my leave, study those Commandments closely now."


    "Wait, is there not anymore to what Ilias would want me to do other than studying her Word? Perhaps, if I am worthy, there may be a mission I could complete for her? Please, I wish to serve the greatest good however I can!"


    Black Alice glanced back at her, a curious glint in her eyes. "Why, yes, there is something you can do." She turned around sharply, fully facing the little Lamia. The Former Monster Lord drew close, leaning over to whisper in the younger Monster''s ear. "It will require you to take a treacherous journey, young one. You will need to travel to one of the most anti-Monster areas of the entire Ilias Continent, Ilias Village."


    Sofia''s blue eyes widened, "Oh my, I''ve always dreamed of going to Ilias Village. It is one of the most pious cities in existence, I''ve heard."


    Nodding, Black Alice continued. "Indeed, now listen closely. This is not information that can be uttered too carelessly..." The older Monster spoke in a hushed voice to Sofia, making sure that only the Lamia would be able to make out what she was saying. One could never be too careful of eavesdroppers, after all.


    As Sofia was retold the tale of a certain purple-haired Prophet, her eyes practically glowed in happiness. "This is fantastic. Something like this could finally take our world into a real and true Golden Age of peace and piety!" Sofia looked up to the older Monster, "O thank you, thank you! I will take this mission steadfastly in the Goddess''s name!"


    Black Alice stifled down a snort, thinking the whole thing was a gigantic joke. As much as she loathed the thought, this Lamia and others like her would be useful to her as pawns to her end goals, if nothing else. "Well, it is time for me to take my leave. Study those six laws well, as you are expected to know them by heart..."


    "Wait, a Monster trusted by Ilias herself to give spread this message must be known by name. That is, if I am deserving of such knowledge." The older woman stopped, facing away from the girl still. "You may refer to me as Black Alice, nothing more and nothing less."


    Sofia looked to the older Monster, a question lingering in her eyes as she opened her mouth. "Black Alice? But Alice is a name reserved only for those of the Monster Lord bloodline, I thought?"


    Black Alice twitched, her head tilting ever so slightly. Unseen by Sofia, the older Monster''s mouth turned into a very thin, tense line. "No, there is absolutely no relation. I am simply another lowly Monster, like you." Without another word, Black Alice walked out the door into the storm, leaving the bewildered Lamia behind.


    <hr noshade="noshade" size="1">


    Meanwhile, alone in the underbelly of Heaven, Promestein sat silently at the large metal table in the middle of the abyss. Black Alice was gone, given a rare Earth-bound mission by Ilias to recruit Monsters for her "cause".


    ''It''s ridiculous enough that humans still follow Ilias, but Monsters too? One would think they would know better, considering the commonly-known fact that Ilias wants all of them dead.'' Promestein shook her head, disbelief emanating from her very core. Even with having been filled in on this plan for weeks now, it was as strange to her now as it was when she was first told.


    And so, the Fallen Angel was uncharacteristically stagnant, forgoing her research and work to reflect.


    ''It seems as if my mission is as far off as entirely possible. Ilias ever still keeps a strong foothold on Earth through her believers, Monsters ravage or enslave whatever they can get a hold of, and humans are no closer to freedom as they were when I first fell. And I''ve done very minimum in the way of progressing in my own goals...'' The Fallen Angel took off her glasses, freeing her face to rub her throbbing temples. A familiar frustration was beginning to set in.


    ''...I need to free my mind of such things. If I am not moving forward, then I will be left behind by my opposition. Then, the truth of this world would never see the light of day.'' Promestein''s fingers stop their rubbing, the word truth causing her to pause as it echoed through her mind. ''It has been long since I''ve communicated with one of them, and seeing how I am otherwise unoccupied.''


    Promestein reached into a pocket hidden in the fold of cloth between her sweater and her lab coat, pulling out a rather primal piece of technology. It was a small handheld radio. The equipment was unorthodox and nearly obsolete, but it was also Promestein''s only avenue for communicating with those outside of Heaven.


    The Fallen Angel clicked the radio on and held it up to her mouth. "La Croix, are you there? Pick up."


    Promestein jerked as a wave of static quickly emitted from the device. "Present." The Fallen Angel perked at the immediate response, taking note of her comrade''s monotone voice having seemingly been ready to answer her call.


    Promestein reclined a bit in her seat, "I am surprised that you were so prepared for my call, La Croix." The radio cracked with more static, "I simply keep myself prepared ahead of time for all possibilities. So, what is it that you require?"


    The Fallen Angel adjusted her glasses, beginning to busy herself by cleaning up the table before her while she spoke. "Nothing irregular, I simply had time to touch base. Is there anything out of the ordinary to report?" The line went quiet, and for a moment, Promestein thought that her query had not reached her partner before La Croix''s somewhat hesitant voice breached through the radio.


    "Yes, well Assassinroid seems to be heading back from Ilias Village now, according to my tracking device..." Her voice trailed off, muttering something unheard to herself. Promestein frowned, sensing something was amidst. "Why is that? Per my instructions she is to keep up the imprinting process throughout the night if possible. Has something gone wrong?"


    Promestein began collecting dirtied beakers as a reply came through. "I haven''t more than just a hunch at the moment, considering that all of my readings indicate that Assassinroid is currently in critical condition."


    The Fallen Angel''s hand slipped, dropping a particularly fragile tube onto the ground, a loud shatter filling the empty air. Promestein cursed, raising her voice at the radio as she stared wildly at the device. "What, how is that she is in critical condition!? She is built to face down and kill Queen-Level Monsters if needed, what could she had fought to be brought to death''s edge!?"


    La Croix''s voice came through with an equally perplexed tone, "I do not know for sure; I thought the readings were off at first, but it must be true if she''s returning this early." The ruby-haired Fallen Angel buried her face in her hands, disbelieving in what she was being told. "The only clue I do have, however, is a spike of Holy Magic I am getting off of her body."


    Promestein furrowed her eyebrows at the new information, "Holy Magic, do you believe she was beaten by an Angel?"


    La Croix affirmed this quickly, "Yes, a powerful one at that. I am not certain of how in the loop you are with Angel movement there is Heaven, but do you perhaps know any Earth-bound Angels who could have pulled off such a thing?"


    Promestein mulled the question over, racking her brain for any idea as to the identity of the Angel in question. ''It could not have been any Ninth Order Angels, not that they would be on Earth right now. Archangel Ariel or Ranael could''ve taken her but none of the Archangels be on the Ilias Continent either.''


    Promestein crossed her arms over her chest in frustration, running through any possible suspects. ''Principality Nagael could probably defeat her, but I doubt that she would be in Ilias Village. The same goes for the Order of Powers. The Virtues are in Heaven at the moment, I know this much; Dominion Endiel would not be on Earth either, not to say she that she could beat Assassinroid though...''


    Winding down to the last three Orders, The Fallen Angel still struggled to reach an answer. ''Throne Eggiel and Cherub Wormiel are in Heaven, Seraph Eden is there as well...'' Promestein hissed in annoyance, "None of this makes sense. No Angels that I know of would be in Ilias Village right now!"


    Suddenly, La Croix''s curious voice called from the radio, "What of the boy''s Mother? She was a Seraph, correct?"


    Promestien''s eyes widened at the suggestion, nearly rejecting it right then and there until she gave it proper thought. "...It may be possible, but Lucifina''s power is sealed, this much I know."


    La Croix scoffed, "Just because she had sealed her powers, does not mean that she could not unseal them if given good enough reason. Surely, seeing a scantily-clad Monster in bed with her underage son would be reason enough for her to break that seal."


    Promestein nodded, practically seeing how such a situation would play out. The Seraph''s powers would be more than enough to brutalize Assassinroid. ''But then why is Assassinroid still alive? Surely, Lucifina would have finished the job and kill her outright?'' The ruby-eyed Angel stowed the question away for the moment, focusing back on the situation at hand.


    "Is there any chance of recovery from this?" The Fallen Angel asked, to which La Croix quickly answered.


    "Possibly, if she is able to cross over into Senorta, I have already sent Lamiaroid to pick her up at the shoreline." Promestein nodded; although Lamiaroid was not as powerful, she would be more than capable of such a thing.


    However, La Croix spoke up again, uncertainty in her voice. "There is something I must bring to your attention, however. It is something I have noticed with Assassinroid. A particular reading that was even higher than the Holy Magic that she was assaulted with..."


    Promestein leaned in the radio, curiosity plastered on her face. "And what is that?" Her compatriot''s voice came through, delivering some unexpected news.


    "...Her measurable levels of excitement were astoundingly high before she was attacked, and her body heat levels had become critical. The last reading, I had clocked in on her internal mechanisms was between one hundred and one hundred fifty degrees." La Croix answered.


    The Fallen Angel''s mind blanked before she became irate. "La Croix, Assassinroid should not even have levels of excitement. Did I not expressly request that she be programmed for stealth and combat alone?"


    The line went silent, the radio static filling the dead air again for a couple of seconds. Then, La Croix replied, "That is true, but I promise you that I only programmed her with battle in mind. However, she is still built from Monster DNA. As much as I tried to reign in those desires, I could not erase millions of years of instinct from those genes, Promestein."


    Sighing, the Fallen Angel slowly put down the radio as her friend continued, "Even then, not even I had thought such base instinct would be awakened by a twelve-year-old boy. It makes as little sense to me as it does to you. I will have to see if adjustments can be made once she is returned."


    An odd chuckle came through the radio, "I can only imagine how such a thing occurred. I am sure Lucifina must''ve walked in on something quite disturbed if she did that much damage..."


    Promestien cringed, her mind concocting all sorts of demented possibilities just with the suggestion, but she curbed those thoughts quickly, "Either way, this will have to be her last mission to Ilias Village, I doubt she''d survive a second encounter with a renewed Lucifina. When you reprogram her, erase her memories of the event. We don''t need her as a potential flight risk, we have few enough in our forces as it is. Losing someone of her prowess would be a set-back."


    La Croix paused for a moment, silently pondering something. "Affirmative, it will be done."


    Promestein clicked the radio off, slipping it back into her lab coat. She gazed about the table, her mind fogged by the information she had just been given.


    ''Unfortunately, that seems to take Luka off the table for now as a viable advantage, I''d rather not even attempt to quarrel with the likes of Lucifina if she truly does have her powers back. I''m not even sure myself how she factors into everything.'' Promestein''s frown deepened, frustration seeping in as she seemingly found herself back to step one.


    The White Rabbit Drug, once again, would have to be her Ace in the hole.


    <hr noshade="noshade" size="1">


    Black Alice happily hummed as she skipped to Heaven''s Gate, her crooked grin unwavering as she climbed the ivory tower. She truly could''ve flown or teleported to the Angel Gate, but as she didn''t often get to leave Heaven on her own fruition, she decided to take her time in coming back. Reaching the top of the stairs, Black Alice pushed open a large wooden door with ease to reveal the entrance to Heaven.


    Atop the door was an already revealed Angel, the former Cherub merged with the Gate. Black Alice skipped up to the large doors, uncaring of the Angel''s obvious glaring. "Hello, hello!~" She greeted, "I''m done for the day, now let me in."


    Heaven''s Gate simply continued to scowl openly at her, not amused at the former Monster Lord. "Aww, why such a mean look? I''m on your side, you know?" The former Cherub snorted, her black locks bouncing slightly. "I doubt that, Monster."


    Black Alice shrugged, "Most do, nothin'' I can do about it. Now..." She dismissively waved the back of her hand at the Angel, "...Do your job, and let me in." Heaven''s Gate quelled with rage but opened up her doors just as well, knowing that she wasn''t allowed to deny Black Alice entry by order of Goddess Ilias herself. Through the doors spewed golden rays emitting from Heaven itself, engulfing the immediate area in its splendor.


    Black Alice, having seen such a thing many times before, held no awe for the sight. "See ya!" She said, before hopping in. Quickly,


    Heaven''s Gate closed, a storm of rage brewing in her emerald eyes. ''If only, if only I wasn''t stuck like this. If I was a free Cherubim still, I would have erased you, you awful creature.'' At first, being Heaven''s literal entrance had been a great honor for her, but now it felt like nothing but a prison as she watched all of her compatriots walk freely. Lost in her thoughts, the Angel was caught off-guard by a voice calling to her from the dark.


    "Greetings, Heaven''s Gate." The voice was sickly but familiar. The former Cherub peered over to another figure coming from the tower''s staircase. The person''s white robes, along with her wings and Halo, immediately gave away her Angelic identity.


    "Archangel Ranael, I had wondered when you would be returning. All of the other Archangels have already returned, why not you?" Heaven''s Gate asked.


    Ranael was silent, staring up at her fellow Angel for a prolonged time as she approached. She chuckled silently, taking note of a dormant anger residing in the Angel''s emerald eyes. "I simply needed to be sure that no one else would be around. I and a certain Cherub have taken note of your frustrations, and we believe we can help. That is, of course, if you have any interest in becoming freed?"


    The Angel listened to Ranael talk, a twisted grin of her own forming as the Archangel informed the former Cherub of her Mistress''s plans.


    <hr noshade="noshade" size="1">


    Past Heaven''s Gate, Black Alice quickly made way for Heaven''s underbelly. With little trouble, she navigated her way down, out of sight from the prying eyes of Ilias''s daughters. However, as she turned a corner, she came face-to-face with perhaps the only person she hated above Ilias herself.


    The Third "Great" Seraph, Eden.


    Even the ever-aloof Black Alice couldn''t keep the facade look of twisted cheerfulness on her face as she met the gaze of the sage-haired Seraph, who seemed to be quite annoyed. "Ah, finally. I had almost figured you had forgotten how to get back into Heaven, Alice."


    The Former Monster Lord partly turned away from the Seraph, lifting her nose up at Eden. "I know quite well how to return here, Eden. I simply took my time in hopes of avoiding any unwanted trash on my return." She glanced back to Eden, her carmine eyes focusing on the Seraph with mock-aghastment.


    "Oh no!" She said, gesturing towards her object of hatred, "Here''s some right now! Gosh, and here I thought Heaven would have its pearly roads free of unsightly roadkill such as this!" Eden''s face flared in fury, her face turning red at the insult. "You abhorrent creature, do you know no respect for your betters!?"


    Black Alice began to approach Eden, a self-satisfied smirk on her face. "If you find anyone better than me, let me know and perhaps you''ll get to see such a thing. Until then, though..." The ancient Monster was within arm''s reach Eden, "...Give me wide berth, Seraph."


    Black Alice passed the fuming Seraphim, content to keep walking until she heard Eden call to her. "Do you wish to know something, Alice?"


    The Former Monster Lord stopped, not turning to face the now smug-looking Seraph. "There is only one decision I have ever disagreed with the great Goddess Ilias on, do you wish to know what that was?" Black Alice glanced over her shoulder, somewhat curious at the statement. Eden stepped closer, her wings flapping as she moved.


    "I do often wish that she had let that pathetic Heinrich Hein run you through that day, instead of saving your pitiful soul from death. Sometimes I even fantasize about how much cleaner Earth and Heaven both would be if he could''ve rid us of the scourge formerly known as Alipheese Fateburn the Eighth."


    Eden clutched her hands in front of herself, a grin forming on her face, "Oh, if only that Fake Hero could''ve done his job correctly just once in his miserable life." The Seraph spat, her disgust for both Heinrich and Black Alice on full display.


    Black Alice''s face was obscured by her hair, having turned away as her body shook uncontrollably. Eden watched, amused, as the Former Monster Lord''s knuckles grew white as they formed fists. Eden continued, undeterred by this.


    "Alas, however, here you are still. A shell of your former self. Perhaps, Ilias willing, you can join him someday. Yes, I think I''d like that." Eden turned away, leaving Black Alice in her barely contained rage. Sensing the Seraph''s departure, Alice exhaled shakily. However, there was no sign of anger on her face. Instead, her face twitched as an abnormally large and crooked smile spread on her face.


    ''Oh, I cannot wait to tear this place down...'' Black Alice thought as her carmine eyes flashed dangerously, ''When I do, I''ll hang you up by your bloodied wings like a beautiful chandelier, Eden. I want you to be the last to perish so you can watch as I slaughter your Goddess and burn your beloved Heaven to a blackened crisp!''