The Diabolic

It’s terrifying to realize your own decisions are shaping your destiny.

Perhaps scorpions were the only ones who could save each other. Whatever lay ahead, it would always be the two of us above the rest of the universe, and woe to any who dared step in out path.

Our ancestors sought knowledge, but we, their descendants, glorify ignorance.

We are all of us bust stardust shaped into conscious being.

A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you've been created for.

Some might call us a monstrous pair, and they would be right. Tyrus and I were both scorpions in our way, dangerous creatures crossing the most treacherous of rivers together. Together we might sting - but we also would float.

Everyone believed Diabolics were fearless, but in my earliest years, all I knew was fear.

The Emperor wishes me to send my innocent little lamb to the slaughter. No. Instead, I'll send him my anaconda.

I would not just disappear into a void as though I'd never existed. I would not accept that I was less than these people just because they'd designed me that way.

But then, I’ve always believed love is the most volatile substance in the universe. It erupts, it incinerates, and then it simply flames out. . . .

People spoke so reverently of affection. For me, it seemed a torment. I couldn’t believe people enjoyed these feelings. How could someone relish this excruciating need to secure a claim on another human?

I do. I love you, Tyrus.

Love. Comfort. I didn’t know what those were, but I wanted them. I would have them. I closed the distance and snapped the man’s neck. As the third corpse dropped to the floor at my feet, the Matriarch smiled.

I've missed you too. Have you been well?" "No," I said. She smiled sadly. "Nor have I." But that was going to change now. For both of us.

Have you ever observed a tiger? A true breed like the ones in the Chrysanthemum? Not those kittenish sorts like those in our cloisters. They're all muscle and sinew, with jaws powerful enough to break the strongest man, yet if you see them stalk prey, if you see them hunt- the sheer strength gives them more grace than the most refined of delicate creatures. That's Nemesis.

I had braced myself for imminent death, and there you exploded upon us like some avenging angel. I have grown used to the idea that human beings die or they betray and I could only rely on myself, but that's not true anymore. I feel I can trust you. That may seem so small an admission, but from me, it is the greatest compliment I can ever give.

That was when I realized for the first time that Sidonia Impyrean—meek, fearful, shy, and gentle—could be indomitable.

I looked at the stone, fragmented and cratered by my rage and jealousy. So this was a visual representation of a Diabolic’s affection, then: an ugly, broken, blood-spattered stone.

If he was her murderer, I had a lifetime to figure it out. I could avenge her tomorrow if I learned he’d done it. I could avenge her in ten years if I learned in ten years, and I’d have ten beautiful years before that. I would always mourn Sidonia, but I had survived this loss once and I could survive it again.

You are brave and honorable and strong, and you are the only one who can see me as I am.

...disfrutaría de la venganza más verdadera de todas: haría que mi vida tuviera un sentido.

Quiero que el ser humano se convierta en una criatura que piense, planifique y se esfuerce por conseguir más, y no lo que somos ahora, esta especie indolente y perezosa que deje que se marchiten lentamente las innovaciones de nuestros ancestros mientras hace caso omiso de los peligros que se van acumulando a nuestro alrededor.

Yet her feelings for me mattered less to me than my feelings for her. For

The Emperor wishes me to send my innocent little lamb to the slaughter. No. Instead, I’ll send him my anaconda.

I had only two goals going forward: to fool people into thinking I was Sidonia, and of course, to try not to die.

Tyrus stepped down from his dais, and he was blinding like the sun itself with his halo of hair done in the Helionic ceremonial fashion, his effervescent gold ceremonial coat. But in that face that could look utterly ruthless, there was a softness, a need, and he said, 'Nemesis, did you hear her speak?' I looked up at him, so wary, choking on uncertainty. 'How could I miss it?' 'I did this for you. This was all for you. The universe may deliver itself into my possession, and I'll still feel as though I've lost everything without you by my side. I am madly in love with you, and I hope to all the stars you still feel something for me.

...yo siempre he creído que el amor es la sustancia más volátil del universo. Estalla, incinera y después se extingue sin más.

Sei straordinaria" disse piano. È molto egoista da parte mia riuscire solo a pensare che ti voglio solo per me?" Mi misi a balbettare. "Mi vuoi... in... che senso...?" Curvò la bocca in uno strano sorriso. E poi mi baciò.