EDIH

3: Proof of Life

Twilight Castle, Fifteenth Dimension, 15th Universe

Erebus sat on the throne made of human hands in the Fifteenth Dimension, a land that Fifteen had gifted to him centuries ago when Eden's Rapture had to hide away from the gazes of the Elders.

He was inside Twilight Castle, the only kingdom in this world. The throne room was in ruins, however, with tapestries Night had once made for him so long ago lying on the ground. Those tapestries had been made in the days when it was just them so Erebus cherished those ancient tapestries more than anything in this ancient throne room.

The floor had no red carpet, just bare black stones, and the room was barren of any materialistic item as Erebus found no need in creating anything lavish. It was nothing impressive, compared to the majesty of the former castle.

He frowned, remembering the day he had destroyed it the first time. It must have been when he had heard of Haru's death twenty years ago in that fire. He'd been so angry at the world, even Persephone and Hypnos had kept their distance from him. After that, he had allowed them to restore it.

The second time he had destroyed the castle, it had been when Night had died two years ago. He couldn't have believed it if anyone had told him the news but he had felt his heart slow down and his eyes had filled with tears as he had felt his other half die.

Perhaps he had resented Night because Chaos had loved him – Chaos loved everyone but him – but he didn't hate him – not the way he had hated Sasha – because he was his other self. Still, he found it fitting for Night to have died. After all, Night didn't belong in the physical world. He belonged in the land beyond the stars, becoming one with Yggdrasil's essence.

After Tyson had sealed Chaos two years ago, he had been angry but not enough to destroy the ruins of Twilight Castle. He had to be careful or else he'd end up destroying the bodies and souls of the ones he cared for.

A dark patch of darkness formed in the corner and a young woman came out of it. She was dressed in a light green sundress and wore a flower crown made up of black roses. She had long flowing dark purple hair and electric blue eyes and flowers seemed to be intertwined with her hair. She was beautiful yet her aura of darkness showed her true, twisted nature.

"Lord Erebus, Fifteen has successfully taken over the Council as planned. He has sent the Elders to the branches of Yggdrasil to join Susumu Hiwatari," She reported, bowing in front of him. She looked up, her gaze as cold as the room she dwelled in, "However, Third was able to evade capture and is currently in Earth, in the primary dimension. First is still missing and Seventeen is in her prison with Chaos and a fragment of Night."

Erebus stood from his throne, morphing his two-piece black suit into black robes. He gave her a soft smile that betrayed his cruel nature, "Thank you, Persephone," He turned to look at the balcony and his dark eyes reflected the world outside the castle, "Have you located what dimension and universe the Forsaken Fallen are imprisoned in?"

Persephone looked at him in shock, stumbling over her words as she spoke, "W-Why would you want to know that, my lord? You know that they'll never join us, especially because they hate us for what we've done. I know Hades hates me. Besies, even if you are able to recruit them, their loyalties will always lie with Chaos."

Erebus stared at the other beast with a cool, calculated look before answering, "I would like to know because I don't want Third to unleash them if the need for them comes. You know that the Elders wouldn't hesitate to use them once again."

Persephone paused and nodded, remembering that's how they were defeated in the first place. The Forsaken Fallen were the greatest enemies they had ever faced and she wouldn't like to try to fight them again. They had grown stronger over the ages, as it was shown when they battled the humans two years ago. She could still feel the wound Hades had inflicted her that would've killed her had Fifteen not saved her. She would never say it but Chaos and his army frightened her.