Chapter 565 - Early Morning

New Chapter for the Highest Tier (June 2021)

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Archdemon Empress Luna

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Princess Sapphire couldn't lose her loyal protector when the deranged god was around, lurking in the shadows in the Summer Palace.

Hephaestus would grab at any chance to abduct Princess Sapphire again or hurt Princess Ourania as revenge for being made like a fool, so they have an obligation to keep an eye out on these two.

She would have aided her Goddess Hecate during her battle with Hephaestus when she teleported back to the Hedge Maze Garden.

But instead, Luna dropped straight in the middle of the conflict and unwittingly brought Apollyon along with her.

Lips parting in shock, Luna gasped at the vision of hundreds of specters and shadows circuiting around the entrance.

Some of them were on the ground, holding on tightly to the copper-colored pieces of metal lying around the ground. 

Looking back at the startling experience, she found it amusing to see her husband's panic-stricken reaction at that exact moment before he grabbed her by the clothes, pulled her towards him, and hugged her tight before carrying her back to their luxurious suite at the Vinca Inn at the right time.

Then, Apollyon explained to her the bronze dragon's appearance, which Hephaestus summoned after his short argument with Hecate over Princess Sapphire and her mother. 

The automaton's presence popped out from the white egg-shaped stone Hephaestus pulled from his tunic and tossed it to the ground like how he relinquished the firestone on the Great Hall.

Hecate destroyed the bronzed dragon by using ice arrows to counter the eternal fire inside its throat, where it breathed fire.

Luna remembered how her heart seemed to freeze then continued to pound when she saw that.

The ghastly herald also added that Hephaestus' eternal fire was the fuel of the bronzed dragon's life while its clockwork heart served as its engine.

It made Luna wonder if Hephaestus' possession of the everlasting flame came from Hell itself.

Was the God of Fire connected to the Archdemons from Hell?

Then, why did Hephaestus have easy access to it? 

Luna thought her questions were valid, but they have other important matters to deal with rather than fixating on other being's affairs.

Her Goddess Hecate was powerful enough to handle Hephaestus and keep him away from Princess Ourania and their daughter for as long as she can—  if it didn't change the fate of everyone involved. 

A goddess had to be intellectually aware of everything they do if they want to change something.

But not too much, or else their actions might change destinies in the long run. 

It will be complex to navigate compared to the beginning.

Perhaps, this outlook could apply to Archangels and Archdemons too. 

Archangels and Archdemons could be as strong as the gods and the goddesses if they wished to be.

The outcome was either one way or another.

Sometimes, the reality of the predicted outcome was totally on the opposite side of the spectrum.

The gods and the goddesses could at least kiss their expectations goodbye!

The ghost also confirmed Apollyon's assumptions that the Goddess didn't like Luna's interference during the confrontation despite her selfish desires to meet the Goddess. 

Hecate sent the herald to talk to Luna and make sure she was aware of her unnecessary actions.

This must be why Apollyon was adamant about leaving the Hedge Maze Garden without informing her what was going on.

Luna should stop feeling guilty about not being able to help Princess Sapphire and Xerxes during the battle.

It was the Goddess's will that she must agree on.

She will make it up to them this morning after Apollyon woke up from his nap. 

He must be exhausted from dealing with a rebellious wife.

As an Archdemon, Luna can consider herself and the rest of the Demon Kind as unknown variables and dark horses, who had the power to change other people's fate if they act on their own, which they rarely do so if it meant betraying their leader or master.

Her lips curved upward in a smirk. The Demon King Lucifer and that Grand Master Satan would be a leader she would never follow.

'Those disgusting ancient Fallen Angels….' Luna scowled at the wall behind her sleeping husband.

She would rather forge an unexplored path to lead herself while she faced the darkness in her quest to find her own light.

Her mate would help her and would stay by her side no matter what happened.

Archdemons and Archangels can act on their own.

Yet, they are compelled to follow the inner compass that will guide them. It was the Higher Power to whom their existence was driven to answer despite having free will. 

This must be why the Fates were having a hard time predicting the future when Archangels and Archangels were involved.

The Fates were limited to share tiny fragments with Hecate.

Their visions were constantly changing, so it would be harder to pick up its authenticity, or else they might be accused or punished for being a liar.

Every single creature lived a complicated life at some point.

During their discussion with Hecate's messenger,  Apollyon suggested that Luna summon another Archdemon aside from the Ravin.

Apollyon claimed that it felt like a massive disrespect to him being in the same room or even in the presence of the Archdemon, who made him suffer for the longest time.

She might have warmed to the idea of not choosing Ravin.

But who else would she make her Archdemon Familiar then?

Archdemon of Sloth?

She winced.

That Archdemon was too slow and too lazy, and he would probably complain a lot if he became her familiar.

There was no way she would allow Sloth to be her servant.

He would give her some ear-splitting headaches.

Later on, Apollyon agreed to make Ravin her Archdemon Familiar as his brilliant mind came up with creative ways to torture the Archdemon without hurting her.

His husband took the herald's promise of revenge as an interesting challenge.