Blood spilled everywhere for a few ounces of ichor.

Existence experienced by everyone for it to only be fleeting.

War, famine and death brought endlessly for a few moments of peace, wealth and life.

Mortals lived rather ironically and paradoxically, not mattering the second they perished. Unfortunately, the same counted for any being considered above them- Supernaturals, demons, gods- It was all the same. It only presented itself in a new way, was all. On the grand scheme of existence, ultimately nothing mattered. One was always to be a smaller part of the bigger picture, contributing something surely, yet insignificant at an individual level.

Despite that rather bleak way of living, there were ways for one to enjoy it all. One could go about their life, limiting their scope to nothing but their own personal bubble. Another could go about other lives, aiding whoever needed it most within their circles. And some had the luxury of going about an entire civilisation, ruling as generals and leaders and any authority. Last but not least, some had the guts enough to go beyond the limitations of their existence, bursting their bubble, becoming possibly something greater.

At least a dozen red eyes stared back, surrounded by written curses and wrapped bandages, crimson all over seeping past into the depths of the abyss. Ares the Peacekeeper, they called him, a vengeful spirit meant to go beyond his means far more than possibly imagined. The keeper of peace had done it once, doing so a second and perhaps a third time, couldn't be that much different. What was new, were merely his being and surroundings- After all, not every mortal had the luxury of resurrecting anew in a hellscape.

Something was on the horizon, bound to bring change.

— NOTHING BUT WAR —

Walking once amongst others in a mortal world, he was initially of no matter, an insignificance like the majority. Nothing to his or his family's name, he joined the army at a mere 15 years old. Some said it was utterly foolish to do so, some said it was to get out of there, some said it was an act of love. Alongside similar young recruits, the boy would struggle more in comparison. He had no knowledge, no skill, no experience, lacking him behind all the others. Yet he was never sent home, for times were vital, many left praying for the best outcome.

Bit of an outcast, he'd made it, somehow, getting into the ranks a few years later, soon after the birthday that officially marked him a man, a soldier. Sent into the fields immediately, he'd keep climbing the ranks, some said it was without a true purpose- For he did, for the sake of protecting the ones he loved, even if he bore no love for the stained grounds he fought on- Even if he bore no love for the accompanying camaderie besides- Even if he bore no love for the blessed ichors others prayed to. Some said his means were abysmal, to be condemned by the above, yet doom never befell him.

Instead, he worked with all his might, to the point the outsider had surpassed the integral forces. Titled at 30 years, the soldier was dubbed a general, Lord Ares Hargreave, meant to put an end to this endless war. The general sent his men into battle with confidence, victory gained at tactical spots such as open fields, rivers and near borders. Word of his deeds spread throughout the land, an inspiration for more to pray or to join. A nobody who'd become the star at the front, if it was possible, surely others could burst their bubbles. Where others looked down upon him at first, others looked up to him then, to the point the general was desired to win each and every conflict to bring back peace.

The title didn't bring him mere fame and comrades only, it also brought him love- For one, his family had been rewarded, living in a reinforced estate and protected by the authorities- For another, he met the love of his life through a single escort mission. Due to his predicament, however, courting the royal May Arrabella wasn't easy- Though warmth would always wash over the general whenever he'd temporarily return home. Their marriage and small family was the last that'd remind Ares of his mortal life outside war, with everything else eventually becoming nothing but further fuel to win it.

Though it wasn't enough. Still befallen with grief of his lost family, the general had made a vital mistake; the last few pushes turned the tables, the consequences immediate. Ambushed at what would become his last battle, Ares and his few forces left were tortured to death- Unthinkable methods, too gruesome for the regular citizen to comprehend. From hanging on crosses, to burning alive slowly, to turning into animal scraps- The enemy ensured each and every single one suffered during the last of their days, their humiliation and execution for all to see. Ares and his troops were by far not the last- It would go on for years, until the misdeeds of mortals had proven to be too futile.

The pain, suffering and hatred of the dead took years to cultivate. It was the tenth anniversary of Ares Hargreave's death, a doomsday predicted by his widow gone insane. The souls sown over the years, formed into a demonic embodiment that'd cleanse this region of its sins. Holding the same name as the fierce general, these lost spirits had come together as one consciousness, with their beloved leader at the top. Upon their formation, the skies clouded with thunders, raining the blood of souls- The lands to be covered in crimson flames, burning the carcasses of souls- The seas to be changed as black as ink, echoing the agony of souls. Taking enemies and allies alike, nothing in the vicinity was spared, yet the deserved revenge didn't satisfy the embodiment.

Cursing the region eternally, the embodiment ceased to exist, leaving it to rot. It'd remain so, for as long as the planet spun around its star. From that day on, the region remained undiscovered for centuries, not found again until after the year was rendered zero again. Travellers were advised to avoid the accursed lands on their journeys, for the Padogamus Dax region was filled to the brim with demonic beings, not to be trifled with.

— THE ABYSMAL DARK —

Becoming an outsider once more, though in a place anew; the reincarnated Ares found himself in the outskirts of the abyss, home to the demons. Few hellspawn roamed the edges of the shadows, he'd soon find, often lone travellers fending for their own scraps, to survive a tad little longer. The demon found the irony in it, adjusting himself to the hellscape this way too, over the next years. Whereas most of these entities remained to themselves, there was something peculiar about Ares- The reincarnation of thousands of souls, he was easily in the ranks of an archdemon, should he become one with this new manifestation. Yet initially, he seemed as gentle as a mere imp for fodder, not causing chaos or destruction. A rather peaceful aura about him, despite his origins of war, demons nearby were soothed as if lulled to sleep.

Ares learned soon enough that the outskirts were specifically meant for their kind to roam- Fodder and outsiders. Any closer to the heart of the abyss, one would be shred to pieces- For the hellscape was ruled over by Illenium, the Verdant Inferno, leader of the demons. A feeling reminiscent of a mortal time would snap within the reincarnation, deeming it ironic he once again didn't belong. Reincarnated, yet of no matter, an insignificance within the minority.

Over the years, the demon adjusted to this new jacket pulled over life itself. A frail body made out of rigid flesh, surprisingly barely anything could cut through, as if it was a broken statue reinforced. Eyes adorned from head to toe, memories of thousands lost souls, could peer into the depths of the abyss, showing one their worst fears. Covered in curses and bandages, remnants of the losses seeping through always. At the top it was quite the worst, mauled beyond belief with sticks to swords. Pulled out one by one, save for one permanently stuck, the rest was hidden by coverage- For without it, the reincarnation could claim souls for itself, becoming ever stronger if desired.

It took about half a century for Ares to gather the first outcasts together. By then, word of the Peacekeeper had already spread around silently, although its whispers still led to the centre of the abysmal empire. Where the Verdant Inferno ruled with fear, Ares managed to gather followers through respect. Demons, albeit more varied than mortals, had similarities too, Ares figured- Once it turned out he was right, albeit with much struggle, his efforts would eventually pay off. All the demon had to do, was simply gather more and grow stronger, to turn the outskirts into one force to be reckoned with. And so, he would once again play a role as peacekeeper, in a different embodiment, in a different environment.

Change was on the horizon, bound to bring renewal.

— HELLISH OPPOSITIONS —

About two centuries after his arrival, the outskirts were as one, standing behind the Peacekeeper. This aligned with the time they dared to lash out the first time, not belonging in the abyss as mere outcasts. It started a war between the Peacekeeper and the Verdant Inferno, one that would last for decades, centuries, millennia- No one the determined victor for eons, one time Illenium would be bested, the other it was Ares' turn. While with fewer forces, Ares had far more true power and loyalists, for the Peacekeeper ruled as he once did in a mortal life, a means that was unknown to a true demon such as the abysmal Illenium.

Similar to his enemy, Ares organised an army, honouring the most formidable with titles. His only general and second-in-command, Lord Rammstein, donning curses as flair, for the Peacekeeper would curse the abyss free of its sins. The following highest tier went to Riot, horrors hidden beneath coverage, for the Peacekeeper found it a solid strategy. Last but not least, for now that was, the advisor became Vortimer, in tune with magic, for the Peacekeeper could utilise the extra insight.

Throughout the centuries fought, armies and territories changed slowly but surely, though Ares and his forces mainly remained on the outer edges of the shadows. The Peacekeeper would improve with time, thanks to himself, his allies, and another surprise- His summoning to mortal worlds, to aid them during wars. The few remnants left of history, the lost general had become a myth on his home planet, told in the smallest of inns in the most hidden of areas. The tale of his mortal life heard of by some, believed in by few- It surely was a welcome surprise, once his reincarnation was summoned succesfully for the first time.

The sight of crimsons and carcasses no longer repulsive, the Peacekeeper only aided those deserving. The demon had seen eons of wars, yet barely any of peace, and would bring it gladly to the folk fighting for good cause. Petty feuds, religious reforms and conflicting politics weren't worth his strength of thousands souls- It resulted in the belief of a greater entity condemned yet blessed, for the Peacekeeper didn't help every single one pleading. Though there was good reason not to- Why would the Peacekeeper summon his old army of plenty vengeful spirits, only to settle what was a squabble born from word of mouth?

Plenty powerful with magic to spare, the Peacekeeper reserved it only for the situations he deemed worthy. Frankly, he'd find, most causes were indeed abysmally ironic, not even to be glanced at or spared a single thought. With the causes he supported, Ares learned the ins and outs of his reformed demonic magic, which he utilised in his war against the abyss itself. Besides summoning fallen warriors, Ares had the ability to manipulate mortals themselves by bending their blood, and thus body, into the desired way- There was admittedly a satisfaction filled, whenever a usurper had dropped into the depths. The ability to reign terror with a tsunami of blood, also remained, albeit the Peacekeeper rather not use that one- For it'd taint environments, and it only had minor to no consequences within the demonic realm itself.

As the centuries passed, the Peacekeeper would hone his own skills, recruiting demons further, even managing to win over some of Illenium's forces. Yet no definite victor remained, as the two demons were at constant odds with one another, causing an imbalance within the hellscape unsolveable for the time to come. Dividing demonkind in two, splitting the abyss in half, change would arrive slowly but surely.

Renewal was on the horizon, bound to bring a realm anew.

— END OF DAWN —

The abyss turned utterly silent for once, which marked the start of the End Of Dawn. Left in the dark, the Peacekeeper and his forces were the only ones spared. Soon it was learned the abysmal heart had escaped, Illenium taking her forces throughout the universe to consume it all. Refusing to let the Verdant Inferno have her victory, Ares and his forces were the last remaining, an opposing force to haunt the enemy. However, when Illenium grew as strong as a divine entity, she'd long surpassed Ares, the latter having no knowledge as to how she'd done this. The tides were turning, change retaliating for once, as Illenium would strike and shatter Ares with little effort. The last bastion crumbling, there was seemingly nothing that could leave it standing.

Yet, beyond his belief, the Peacekeeper grasped change himself once more, slowly but surely gaining the upper hand in what would be his last battle. Illenium may had surpassed every demon, possibly every entity within the universe, yet her cause would always remain lesser. The Peacekeeper brought his fury upon her, improving the odds once the waves were even again- Then they turned into his favour, as his demonic enemy grew weaker and weaker, as if life was seeping away from her. Engulfed in his full wrath, it all ended with a cataclysm.

The heart of the abyss no more, the Verdant Inferno and her forces were banished to shadows beyond the abyss. Upon the conclusion of the End Of Dawn, Ares found irony in existence yet again, as he learned the rulers of the very universe itself, had flaws of their own too. Yet he was given a blessing by them, for he now had the means to rule the abyss. The Peacekeeper was informed on the divine entity fuelling their entire hellscape, Muerte Eterna, suggested the new abysmal ruler might want to bring forth change.

Bringing change, the Peacekeeper did. Illenium and her forces gone, the abyss was a clean slate to start anew. The remaining, unsurprisingly brainwashed demons, were offered a chance to relocate or reform. Ares' forces increased plenty, with capable commanders and citizens alike, who'd all go into a new era of the abyss- It would be difficult, though not impossible. The Peacekeeper had plenty ideas, the first to come in effect, was to create settlements and protective barriers, as if the beginnings of a demonic civilisation. Unlike previous rulers, Ares did whatever he could to restructure the hellscape, keeping all old, current and new demons at bay as much as possible. Demonkind in its entirety would slowly but surely gain a sense of morality and responsibility, though this was expected to not be fulfilled for at least decades or centuries.

After a year of rebuilding, the abyss was far from perfect still- Though the Peacekeeper was thus far happy with the progress made. Demons lived in civilised cliques and small towns, looked after by leaders akin to mayors and guards. Sentient hellspawn had a way easier time adapting, though more than enough hellspawn, both sentient and feral, ran amok outside the edges of the renewed abyss. Ares was sure the hellscape and demons as a whole, would remain despised by the rest of the universe for possibly eternity- Though it wouldn't matter, if he could find ways to keep the abyss in check. Improvement was more than visible on the horizon, the Peacekeeper more than determined to let it arrive.

Alongside an increased society, there were also increased forces on Ares' part. The majority of Illenium's forces had reformed, becoming part of the new abyss under Ares' rule- Some even of high status during Illenium's reign, such as her army generals Mordhau and Paradox. They all had the choice of living as citizens or as part of Ares' forces, with most finally enjoying a rather peaceful existence for the first time. The remaining demons, were assigned as guards, advisors, leaders and so on- His forces increased tenfold, it'd ease the transition of the abyss into a home.

It was true- The abyss had finally turned into a home for the Peacekeeper, something akin to happiness forming within the being. The demon had his allies, his friends and even a family at this point- Such was the case with spending so much time with particular demons, as his most loyal of allies had become akin to brothers and sisters to him. It allowed Ares to feel emotions long forgotten, which breathed life once more into the demon, which in turn breathed into the abyss.

The new additions would also ease Ares' conquest of more than just the abyss. For one, the Peacekeeper had to figure out what to do about Muerte Eterna. After all, it was through this divine entity, that the abyss kept being repopulated with new meat- Something that was unwished for, if they wished to set up a stable society succesfully. For another, since the End Of Dawn, Ares had felt a strange yet familiar pull towards somewhere unknown- The intention to find out what this exactly was hung high in the air. Perhaps it was untapped power once more, perhaps it was another discovery once more. The Peacekeeper would ensure to rule effectively, for he had gained a second chance to go from an outsider, to the top of the reign. This time, he wouldn't nor couldn't let it go to waste, for he'd reincarnated once, and wasn't planning on doing so again. The abyss was now his home, the Peacekeeper would look after it properly, for the first time in its entire existence.

— FUTURE ARC —

Filled with twists and turns, demonkind's home within the abyss was an everchanging labyrinth. Decades into the future, the Peacekeeper and his allies finally found the what fuelled it all- In a deep slumber, her heartbeat almost in sync with the quiet of the void, Muerte Eterna lay sleeping at the heart of her domain. To slay this spire meant to stop the eternal cycle of death that hellspawn were more than familiar with- No longer would each alignment event bring rigor mortis- No longer would the abyss lay its claws into the far reaches of the stars- No longer would the rest of the universe need to fear its darkest depths. The Peacekeeper could fully free the hellscape from its clutches, the sacrifices a price he was more than willing to pay.

This would be the one and only time ever Ares absorbed another's soul.

Thousands of his past lives screamed in utter turmoil. His very being ripped apart to make space for the overflowing power. Thousands, millions more hellspawn behind him, witnessed the rekindling of a deity. It was as if the Peacekeeper was reborn, at heights thought only few demons in history could reach.

From then on, Ares was fully in tune with the abyss, said to become the truest leader of demons of them all.

Yet past the abyss' horizon, into the nothingness of the void, something still called out.

Scouring and searching, initially it was as small as an itch- Easily sated but with a scratch. Yet it would return in bigger and better bursts, and before Ares knew it, it had grown out of control; something beyond the veil heeded him, pleaded him, needed him. In turn, Ares' desire to discover its source grew day by day, slowly driving the archdemon insane in ways once familiar to his past mortal self. The Peacekeeper directed demons into cracks and corners, to look into the few openings hanging over the void. It was unlike any conquest before- For this one, required not sight, smell or any sense of that sort- But to look inwards the soul, something which was far beyond the needs of his form reborn.

As if clutching onto mortal emotions, feel and intuition, Ares reached into the depths of nothing.

And then something, or rather someone, reached back.

As if he'd been blessed by the universe itself, the strange pull brought with it a wave of overwhelming familiarity: a sense of the old past, the distant history, the whispers of home. Born anew akin to he himself, yet Ares would never mistake her for anyone else.

After eons upon eons, the lost lovers had finally reunited.

The Peacekeeper had already felt at home in his hellscape for a long time- Yet with the return of his May, changed Celestiel, it was as he'd ascended into the afterlife and become one of its heavenly angels. Even if they were in different forms, in a different world, it mattered not to Ares, and it never would.