Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Lord Argo, please just tell me why are we not storming Arsenes stronghold?" Merikh asked, clenching his fist. A trace of burning fire glimmering like stars within his dark eyes.

"To be young and stupid," I mocked, watching the young man upon his knees turn blood red in shame. "Because I ordered you to stay, or was I not clear enough?"

"We have the manpower," He rushed to speak, "We can end this all."

"Oh really, so you are telling me that the Giants, Vanirs, and Aesirs can challenge the demons of the Nines present within his city?"

"We have gods!" Merikh challenged, "They have about one or two. Our victory is but assured! The moment that no name god entered the battlefield, Arsene lost all his advantages. There should be no reason we should not simply attack and kill him now!"

"Gods? What gods? The Courts sent only those within World to kill that boy, and I am the only God present. The only one that could even challenge me being that soul bender from the celestial city."

"Then why not attack!" shouted Merikh startling me. Scrunching my brow, I narrowed my gaze at the odd fluctuation upon the land since Tenebrae descended a week ago.

"You are to stand down, or else I shall hang your body upon a stake and have you burned for an eternity."

Paling Merikh lowered his head, taking his leave bringing a solemn expression upon my face. "How envious, Arsene, not only do you hold The Flame of Hellfire, but you now have the touch of Tenebrae. She has chosen you."

"Soloman," Aeron called out, arriving by my side with a grim expression.

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"You disapprove?"

"What exactly are you planning? Sitri is upon this realm, and Arsene is going through his trial. " Said Aeron, glaring daggers into me.

"Is my dear disciple so suspicious of me? I merely want to know more about him?" I explained with a smile, "Or do you think I have other motives."

"Of course you do. Does Sitri know you're here?"

"But of course, he is a Prince of Hell after all. I even saw that abyssal girl with him strung up like a pig to the slaughter and stripped. It was quite the scene to watch him torture her, yet a little disappointing she revealed nothing to my dismay."

"He has Lilith? Why?"

"Who can say Sitri fell silent when I asked, but I would assume Asmodeus has something to do with that. But I am sure you are not here to discuss Lilith, or are you?" I questioned, brewing a pot of tea within this little shack I built for myself within the depts of Midgard. It was nothing fancy, but it was cozy.

"Both, actually. I am planning on approaching Arsene, the one you have taken an interest in. I want to meet him face to face." Aeron said solemnly, studying my appearance with his piercing eyes.

"yet you here with me, watching me brew some tea. Would you like some?"

"No," Aeron coldly said.

"Are you sure? I found it within Elysium."

"I am, " Aeron insisted. Begining to lose patience.

Pouring myself a cup, my gaze slowly fell upon Aeron, "Just like you, I am watching his actions. I want to learn more about him before I too meet with him. Your Court is, after all, hunting him like a dog."

"Yet you are using them to study him." Aeron cunningly replied. "Tell me then, to what end?"

"Did you see that boy from before? I believe his name is Merikh." I muttered, watching Aeron nod, "he will soon attack Arsene against my will. He will attempt to invade but with the formations covering that city. They will fail. What I want is to see Arsene battle one of them. Did you not feel it? Tenebrae's will? He now possesses three great powers. The power of Darkness, The Nine Hells, and The Flames of Hellfire. I am sure if the Astral Sea was still around, he would have that as well."

"There are still areas that exist; it's never too late," said Aeron sending a shudder through my heart.

"It's true, but I do not think that will happen. Any legacy that was there has already vanished with the great change. The same for Elysium. Its last King Aldrich saw to that. He tore away the old legacy left by other Entities."

"So I have heard, but have you decided to stand against Arsene?" Aeron said grimly. He was never a man to hold small talk.

"I believe I may. Death, at least for me, can never happen, so is my curse. Consequently, I welcome the battle with Arsene. He is still a little too young but is it not the best time to snuff out his life? You can have the girl. I am sure you are interested in the abyss."

Nodding, Aeron stood up. "We will see, Master. Arsene is currently within Sitri's plan, and he, unlike Lilith, is not protected. Do you think he will live?"

"Why should I care?" I could not help but say, "If he dies, I take his soul. If he lives well, nothing changes, but what about you? Will you stand against me?"

Turning his back, Aeron shrugged, "I do not know, but if I am. Do not expect mercy; I am no longer the little boy from before." He said, vanishing in a wisp of scarlet light.

Taking a sip, a wave of comfort flooded my mind, "Still naive, my little disciple. Your death was already determined the moment I picked you up."

"Still cruel as ever I see." The dark somber of Aldrich sounded. Arching my lips, I poured another cup of tea for my guess.

"We are both born within Elysium. You should know we find it hard to understand these foolish insects' problems." I stated, watching a man appear in front of me. His features were blurred, but the power emanating from his was... impossible.

"I have not been there in a very long time... Not since my ascension. I am bound to this Reality. The Twelve Planes are out of my bounds. How is Elysium?" Asked Aldrich in reminiscence.

"Thriving, even with what you did, its power still rivals the Shadows along with the others orbiting your plane. However, no king has been assigned since you killed its last ruler."

Taking a sip, a sigh escaped his lips, "Once a king, always a king, that foolish woman had it coming. Daring to take my throne after my passing."

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"You died. What else was she to do?" I questioned, chuckling at the childishness of the old king.

"True," said Aldrich casually, "When will you be ready?"

"Any time, your grace, but it seems strange you are targeting Arsene. You do not seem like a person who holds interest within the flames or Tenebrae. So why go after him?"

Scuffing, Aldrich vanished, his words continuing to echo, "Become his enemy, and find out."

Chuckling to myself, I stared at the empty cup, shaking my head, "I think I may. How could I miss an opportunity like this?"