Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Better, he says. But I don't know about that.

The Arsene I'd known was also arrogant, but that arrogance was layered behind his gentle smile. And his debaucherous lifestyle. But he was different now. He wasn't hiding his true self. It was almost as if he acted impulsively, but I also felt that wasn't right for some reason.

It was more like his ideas were impulsive, but the execution tended to be layered behind his schemes. It's… a strange version of the practice of Ren-Shii.

When I heard he'd be practicing, Ren-Shii, I was quite surprised. People who followed that path were barbarians. They tended to have no self-control, acting with extreme aggression when given a choice.

"Tia?" He called from up ahead and whirled to me; his scarlet eyes calm as a still lake. He pointed: "There's a city up ahead. Want to take a look?"

I merely nodded and glanced in the direction he was pointing and lifted my brow towards the Crest of the Lion. "House Garwind"

"You know it?" He asked calmly, and my skin quivered strangely like it used to by his unflinching eye.

I don't know what it was, but Arsene never masked his intent. Even when we first met. Honestly, I wanted to kill him. Were he, not Zariels brother at the time, I might have. He was a weakling, one I could kill with a flick of the palm, yet he dared to reveal such lusty intent towards me? And on our first meeting at that.

I found him rude, foolish, lustful, irritating, and childish, and— How did we even share a bed? Much less a child? Why was it we spent so much time together?

"Yes, they are one of the houses that follow the Angels' will. And I know what you're thinking: They must be hypocrites? But you're wrong. This clan is actually extremely righteous." And I stopped, noticing the curvature of his lips in a downward spiral.

He snorted: "Righteous, you say? From what I've seen, they are no different than the Fallen."

"That's because you only see their desperate sides. Arsene, how much do you even know about the Angels? And their teachings?" I asked, watching the scowl over his lips deepen, and a chuckle left my lips at his almost brooding expression.

"What? Excuse me if I find that hard to believe. But the Angels lost all credibility when they tried to kill my family. I'm sure you heard of the ambush of my little sister orchestrated by Metatron?"

"I did," I said. "But I also know of a few that are so kind even you would struggle to end the life of one: Ariel, Sariel, Zadkiel, Gabriel, even Michael at times, despite his rigid personality."

"I'm pretty sure Michael wants me dead." He pointed out, somehow missing his murderous tendencies, his cannibal nature, and his sadistic habits. I'm sure every angel hates him and for a good reason.

"I'm going to let you think on that," I told him, hoping he'd glean some insight into his own personality. "But House Garwind, a mid-size Clan, follows the will of Zadkiel, the Archangel of Mercy. From what I hear, he and Mephisto have a rivalry with each other."

"Oh?"

"Not a physical rivalry but intellectual. Zadkiel believes that benevolence must be kept in all things to further creation. In contrast, Mephisto believes that benevolence only exists to serve evil. It's quite a debate. I have the recording if you want to take a listen." I told him, watching as his eyes went wide.

"Recording?"

"What? Do you think everyone lives in the stone age when they enter the cultivation world? Many Fallen and Angel tend to visit Genisis to help advance themselves regarding engineering and technology. There is no better place than Genesis when it comes to that. And it's where most Angels and Fallen debate on issues. It makes millions. Since many people tend to gain enlightenment."

"Interesting…" He muttered, lowered his head, and snapped his gaze towards me. " Do you think, Zadkiel could absolve me of my sins?"

"..."

"..."

"Eh?"

"Hmmm. I'd like to talk to this Zadkiel. He sounds chill."

I barely told you anything about him, but he sounds chill. What is going on in his mind?

"But never mind about the Angels and Fallen. You've been quiet for a while. I don't think I've ever seen you so quiet. You were such a chatterbox that sex became the only thing that would shut you up."

The tips of my ears grew ablaze, and my chest tightened as my laughter rang. "Don't you dare bring that up!"

"Well, It's true!"

"And it's true you only lasted three minutes on our first time!"

"Signs of a true man!"

"No, it's not!!!"

"Woman, you can't shame me! I'm God Damn Arsene Fucking Snow. Not to mention, you came more than ten times in those three minutes." He shamelessly said, nodding as he licked his lips. His ashen hair fluttered beneath the gentle breeze of the winds. And he stepped closer to me." But if I remember correctly, in our last match, I made you wet your—"

Covering his mouth before more of my shame left his lips, my cheeks burned as he pulled away.

"Accept I made you pee yourself, woman! An entire bed was ruined! For shame!"

"ARSENE!!!!!" I squealed, at the top of my lungs, so hard the back of my throat cracked.

Never had I been so embarrassed that it burned.

Glaring at this bastard, laughing his ass off. I felt my eyes grow wet as silvery black scales began to protrude from my skin. Sparks of anger began to overwhelm my mind watching Arsene clenching his stomach as he knelt with laughter.

"Just die!!!!!"

Opening my mouth, all of my Qi gathered as a blazing breath of flames so powerful the layers of space began to fold into self. And yet just as a sliver of flames materialized, I felt his lips press against mine in a blinding flash.

Drawing my flames as though it was my final breath, weakness sank into my bones as his will clashed against mine.

He held me by the waist, his scarlet eyes gleaming with a teasing hue as I tried to push my will out to gain some control, but—As our tongues connected, I felt myself submitting. As if an almighty force was sinking into my mind, I felt something withing within me begin to fold.

He pulled away, smiling. " Dru'le'Ca, or Draconic Will, an Ancient Dragon Tradition, where one who wishes to find a mate must overwhelm the other to decide who is superior." And his hands grew tighter, pulling me in. "A savage tradition that gets quite brutal, as two dragons will tear at each other to assert dominance. They'd even go so far as to kill the ones they wish to mate with if they don't submit."

Bitting at my lips, he lifted his hand, raised my chin, and peered with such piercing eyes; I felt all the defenses I'd created were slowly being peeled away.

"I've never submitted," I told him. "Never."

"You will," He pulled away, taking me by the hand, "But before things get out of hand. Shall we go on a date?"