Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Abaddon"

"Nighthawk,"

"I'm sorry?" Dreck said, confused under the moonlight. Turning to me, that sat beside Arsene. I shrugged, equally puzzled.

"its night time, so call me Nighthawk." Said Arsene, oddly serious for some reason.

Covering my mouth not to laugh, the corner of Dreck's mouth twitched as he glanced at me, "Is he Ok?"

"Who can say, I think he might have eaten some strange herbs," I suggested watching Arsene's devilishly handsome face turn to me. Studying the smoldering darkness absorbing all light within his pupils, my heart began to beat faster as I turned to the campfire.

Listening to the crackles of firewood, resound Dreck eventually continued, "Than... Nightwalk, you think we will be able to find an updated map within the holy city?"

"You tell me? You're the one who suggested we travel there. You said you knew something." Arsene darkly said, carrying a sharp glint that sent a chill down Dreck's back.

"O-Of course." He stuttered away, trembling as if he was standing in the cold.

"Are you sick?" I asked tenderly, tilting my head towards the man, unable to meet Arsene's gaze. "You should tell Vicky. maybe she can find you some herbs or make you some soup."

"Y-Y-Yes t-t-that might be it," he said, rushing away with his tail between his legs.

Giggling at the little doggy, I turned towards the smoldering darkness brewing within Arsene like a storm.

I hated that look. It was devoid of human emotions, carrying no desire or will. It was like I was staring into the ethereal darkness. Empty and hollow.

Leaning my head on his shoulder, I could feel his tender head touch against mine, "I did it again, didn't I?"

"Did what again?" I asked, pretending not to know.

"Lilith," He solemnly whispered.

Releasing a breath of anguish, I sighed, "There is nothing we can do. I don't know what is going on, Sene."

Watching the bright flames cast away the darkness, Arsene held his gaze upon the light that was slowly beginning to fade as if it was being strangled. The crackles had already started to grow softer till all that was left was the embers.

His skin had turned to cold the touch, and I could feel a chill crawling its way into me. But I did not complain, holding a smile; I closed my eyes when all of a sudden he patted my head. Placing my head down on his lap, he lifted his lips, if only slightly, before stroking my hair.

Getting rather comfortable, my vision began to grow blurry when a soft hum began to ring. It wasn't very loud or obnoxious but somewhat comforting.

"An instrument?" Arsene asked as I shrugged,

"Who can say, wanna take a look?"

"Do you all hear that?" Deb fearfully asked as she came rushing back into camp. Taking note of the lack of dirt upon her hands and knees that one would have if they went looking for herbs, I chose to ignore it. Arsene needed souls, after all.

Following closely behind her stood Vicky and Dreck, who had solemn expressions as they gazed off towards the eerie darkness that surrounded us.

Narrowing my gaze, I stood up from Arsene's lap and looked towards the coast a few months journey. Placing his icy fingers onto me, Arsene smiled, "Wanna take a look?"

Noticing he was somewhat back, aside from his chilling body heat, I nodded with a happy grin, "Of course. You all wanna come?" I asked, looking back at the silent faces of Dreck and his whores. Noticing something off, I grew alert.

Their skins were slowly turning paler till a fog of icy air-sprung from their lips; when all of a sudden, they suddenly started to face the coast.

"A soul attack," I whispered as my eyes began to glimmer with abyssal energy.

Noticing an invisible power upon their heads pulsing like a heartbeat, Arsene and I turned to each other. Nodding without a word, we waited in silence when Dreck, Deb, and Vicky sprung off their feet like a bolt of lightning.

Following behind, at a safe distance just in case, we slowly began to notice their bodies begin to hover off the ground. Observing their bodies begin to pick up the pace, Arsene swiftly lifted me into his arms.

Watching him blink through space without actually manipulating space, I could not help but be a little jealous of this ridiculous ability. This was instantaneous movement, the same as breaking past the time barrier.

Noticing my deep gaze, Arsene chuckled, "it's called Shadow Stepping," he said, blinking without the worry of growing weary and dull. Gritting my teeth in jealousy, I snorted, snuggling into his chest.

"Lilith is going to learn how to do that as well."

"You think it's so easy?" He mockingly asked, bearing down with dark eyes.

Growing wet at his demonic eyes filled with a bit of contempt. I nodded, "I'm from the abyss; of course, it's that easy. If the darkness can do it, so too can I."

Arching his lips, he held me tighter as we abruptly stopped before the coast that would have taken a few months to arrive at. Feeling the powerful Sword Intent within the air, my gaze fell upon the ten people, including those that traveled with us all hovering in a circle.

"Who all is capable of flying on Alos?" Arsene asked as he knew neither of us was capable of flying as of yet.

"Royals only, or New Gods, but this seems different." I listlessly said, studying the shores.

Melding space itself, my eyes suddenly focused on a particulate being within the ocean. Meeting its rainbow-colored eyes, the echoes of a lost song rang like bells into my heart. It was soft and gentle yet somehow sad, almost like it was wishing for me. Calling just for me, with its song.

Turning my Abyssal Qi into Celestial Energy, I spoke in a dark tone consumed in a dense killing intent, "You have something of ours."

Seeing the shock grow wide within its eyes, Arsene's gasped aloud, "A mermaid? Holy shit, I never thought I would see one!"

Waving his hands widely, he sparkled as he waved towards the ocean, "HEY!!! COME UP!!!!"

Sparkling alongside Arsene, I grinned from ear to ear, as I too had read many books regarding such creatures that seemed to be able to enchant the hearts of all creatures with its voice.

"I wonder what she tastes like? I don't like fish, but I think this may be different?"

"Huh?"