Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"What?!" Eric gravely shouted, withdrawing from the room with a flicker of light.

Rising from my spot, I slowly followed him outside, where he hovered over the little village. Flying to his side, I looked towards the west. Noticing the faint residue of fire, I could not say I was surprised. They appeared only three days away, assuming one knew how to move around the island.

"They are heading to the Moutain of Dreams. The Heart of the Sa'ar." He bitterly muttered with a long face.

"how long till they reach?" I asked, hoping I had enough time.

"Three weeks without a guide, or two with one. However, based on where they are now, they seem to be taking Sparrows' Edge. A path is only known by those that live upon Sa'ar."

"Slaughter them all," I darkly told, "Use poison if needed. There are about two thousand people. Make it quick."

"You would brand me a coward?" He scornfully barked, gleaming with an ingrain pride I had not seen till now. "I have not once used poison, nor do I plan on it."

"I don't particularly care, Eric. Zanris and Silvia, two Devils in the Realm of World, will arrive in a week's time. Should I not see results, I am sure you will understand what I will do."

Narrowing his wolf-like eyes towards me, I felt a trace of divinity flash beneath his steely blue eyes. Recognizing that glint, he glared. "You will pay for your sin one day, Arsene. All the lives you have taken, one day Karma will find you."

"I expect results the next time we meet," I indifferently stated, tossing him a talisman with my Crest placed upon it.

Making my way from the village, none stood within my path, all too fearful of making a move. Placing my cloak back only my body, I found my way back into the jungle. Sensing my Crest a half days journey, I decided not to walk but fly.

Consuming my body with demonic Qi, the concept of light and lightning glimmered around my body as I tore through the air shattering various barriers. Ignoring wind resistance due to my understanding of wind, my speed only increased, leaving only a streak of ethereal darkness glittering like stars that faded into the vast expanse.

Arriving at the Mirrored lake, in less than a minute, I landed upon the surface of the lake near the Ceriloat buzzing with power. Feeling my Demonic Qi overflowing without limit. All seven turned with a dangerous glint.

Ceriloat was known for being territorial and aggressive. They had powerful shells that made it virtually impossible for those below World to enter. That was not to say it could not be done by those in my realm. Ceriloat were, after all, Spirit grade creatures with World-level defenses. Their eyes, mouth, and rectum were the most viable choice.

Charing upon the surface of the water, the Ceriloat entire body crackled with thunder as it appeared before me faster than any Spirt Master could see. However, I was fully prepared as their claws tore into a realistic illusion that was far different than what I could create in the past.

The senses of touch and sight played a significant role in the art of illusions. However, I wanted to employ all seven senses in order to give a realistic fantasy to my enemies. I held a tier four understanding in the Dao of Illusion, something most monsters, including humans, did not have.

Shadow stepping within the mirrored lake, a shadow spear appeared within my palm. Striking as it felt my illusions, warm blood pouring over its claw. A profound spear intent mixed all of my elements thundered through the water's surface, tearing a massive hole into its eyes.

Decimating its insides without it even understanding, I shadowed stepped once more, appearing upon the surface outside the encirclement of the now six Ceriloat.

Watching the image of myself fade, the Ceriloat stared at their dead comrades releasing a mournful squeak. Taking advantage of such a foolish sentimental action, I appeared with a shadow step in front of two, jamming my arms covered in black flames into their beak-like mouth. Releasing hell within their jaws, black webs of darkness started to spread, aging till all that was left was dust.

"Moving instantly is truly op! I wonder if I can make an attack that resembles a shadow step? Instantaneous attacking! No wonder the last Prince of Noctem was overpowered." I shouted, feeling overly pumped, bullying these crabs.

Slowly moving away from me, the four Ceriloat shivered in dread. There were small, beady eyes glistering in tears as they whimpered in short utterances of squeaks. Lowering my hands, I shook my head, "Go," I said, giving mercy for the very first time in my life.

"Do I have a soft spot for none intelligent monster?"

Not knowing why I snorted while staring down at my reflection, staring back with hollow eyes. Slowly sinking into the surface of the lake, my darkness began to spread out. Noticing a hidden cave, I fell to the very bottom of the lake.

It was dark, far colder than anything I had felt before. The darkness did not diminish my vision as everything appeared vibrant, just as it did within the depts of the Shadow Realm.

Moving as I would on land, unhindered by the flow of water. I stepped towards the hidden cave that oddly enough stretched deeper into the depths of the lake—observing the strange creatures that did not appear to hold eyes, my lips curled downwards—disgusted by their appearances. They seemed like monsters back on earth within the depts, just uglier.

Swimming further down a few days seemed to flicker by without any sign. The depts did not appear dangerous at; first, I had not encountered any sort of creatures that was even relevant for my gaze and most seemingly left me alone. But the temperatures had long dropped below zero.

I did not have my body cultivation, so I was only a few more times stronger than an average human. But even with my demonic Qi, I was struggling to even move. Without the shadow flames consuming my body, I do not think I would be alive right now. However, I was not struggling with an issue I had never faced.

My dantian was running low on Qi. Honestly, it never crossed my mind that I needed them. I was always used to using my body cultivation.

Cursing my luck, I sighed, knowing I had to return to the surface. I knew I would not live to see the end of this chasm. That seems to be overflowing with a demonic power that was not of the Nine Hells. It was faint and diluted, but it felt utterly different from anything I had felt before.

"What the hell is down there?"