Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Congratulations, Mr. Serion. How would you like to pay?" Said a young foxy maid, holding onto a bamboo case the length of a child. She had a delectable smile, showing a shyness that would play on men's egos.

"Over seven cycles, and you still ask that. " Serion coldly denounced, pulling a ring from his finger, he tossed it at her with a scowl. Starstruck by Serion's actions, the young maid staggered as she caught the Spiral Ring, housing all the necessary Celeste.

'Weak. Weak.' it muttered softly in its eerie childlike voice.

Shooting fire from his eyes, Serion snorted, "Take it. My debt is paid. We are even" He accused as if it was my doing that his little brother ended up at the end of his blade.

Shaking my head dismissively, I took the bamboo case from the maid, "You can leave now, dear." I said as she bowed with wet eyes, filled with blame. Lifting my lips, she nodded, withdrawing from sight. "I help you convince your family it was a mishap. Shame they didn't get to see you pounding the shit out of your brother's skull. What was he at the time? Ten years of age? Tell me again why you had me cover?

"Cover? Surely this is a jest, Loki. A ruthless assassin invaded through our barriers and killed my brother. It was a tragedy, and I shall not allow you to undermine his name." Serion uttered perfectly, showing a vengeful expression.

"Whatever you say," I replied.

"Good, now get the hell out of my booth." He urged, and I complied with a smile. I swear with each of these new generations, their ability to be fooled grows. Serion will not let this go; how could he? Once he learns this blade now resides on Yura Snow, I am sure a hunt will begin.

Lilith will be untouchable, but Yura will be the perfect lap dog. While the Celestrial King's daughter is quite the title, compared to fear Asmodeus garners, Tien Wang will be a breeze.

Skimming through the streets, I grew a bit hesitant over the King's plan. Holding onto the bamboo box that contained Riverfall, I glanced up at the sun, at its zenith. Releasing a bitter sigh, I made for the Palace.

It was strange. Shadow was not involved with this one. Usually, they would always act together, but Shadow was not; in fact, I don't even think he was present in the Overworld.

'We must escape. Must flee. Trap!" It feared.

"I know, damn it! We were given more freedom than most thralls, but enslaved we still are." I replied inwardly to my inner voice haunting my every thought.

Arriving at the Palace wall promptly, I stood still before its walls, waiting for the sun to set and for the night to come. I had drawn a few eyes, but it was irrelevant. This should be the final mission I had on Alos.

Arsene and Lilith have already set the course. With me dealing with this, everything should be set till the wedding commences. Everything else they do should be a decoration of what is to come.

'Game Set. Set. Won, we did! Won!' my inner devil whispered, in its chilling tone that turned my bone to ice.

Smirking, I nodded as night once more commenced. Racing past the guards who had no power to stop me, I phased through the palace wall, entering the throne room in an instant. Eyeing the young couple, I chuckled.

"Got a gift for you two."

"Loki." Yu Lan coldly declared, taking a cold stance away from her throne. "You have a lot of nerve entering my home like so."

'kill.'

"Oh, come on, I can't help it. I love chaos. Anyway, I was invited by that little princess there." I playfully charmed, cracking a smile that only seemed to infuriate Yu Lan.

Flaring her nose, Lilith lifted a small decorative box. Sensing a bit of divinity surrounding the box masking its contents, I found myself a little curious about what it was.

"Loki, please send this to my mother; there is a letter in it." Lilith expressed, eyeing the case in my hand.

Arsene approached me with a smile and took the case without the slightest bit of fear. It was rare he would show fear. A trait I always found admired. "I shall take this, and in case my wife didn't say anything. I will thank you," he said metallically.

"But of course, " I sarcastically said as the small gift flew into my hand. Sending the young couple a long stare, space began to twist and melt away as a profundity began to wrap its way around me.

"Tell mother I say hi," Lilith shouted, with sad eyes that chilled my heart.

Alos had many rules: one needed to be at a certain level to fly, while teleportation was very restricted. Unless one was very proficient like Lilith teleporting throughout the bed of chaos and to Alos was impossible.

However, I was different. My Mortal Dao was in regards to Law, known as the Disorder; I was able to ignore laws completely. Rules were meant to be broken, and since I was the current Loki, how could I allow myself to follow the rules.

Passing through the intricate spiral walls of the Heavenly Palace, I could not help but smile as a familiar presence appeared within my mind. Entering a garden that should belong in heaven, a rainbow of endless flowers entranced my view. Lost in awe, I stood still, holding onto Lilith's gift.

"Loki?" Yu-Shan coldly declared a bit similar to her cousin... or is it sister? Shit, I can't remember.

"It truly has been a while. How have you been?" I gleefully asked, masking my enjoyment at their rather pale expression.

"What the fuck are you doing in my home!" Yu-Shan barked a bit unbecomingly.

Tossing her Lilith's gift, I could not help but wonder what would have the queen of the Celestial Palace look so haggard. Yu-Shan's robes were all but distorted, her hair in a fray, and her eyes looked a bit red and blotted as if she had been crying.

"A gift from your daughter."

Eyeing the gift, the ashen completion she held grew deeper.

"Loki?" A powerful looming voice resounded, startling me for a bit. Turning to the lord of this domain. Standing tall and firm, breathing with entitlement, Tian Wang glared. "The hell you doing in my home?"

Why does everyone keep asking me that? What the hell does it look like?

"A gift from your daughter," I slowly repeated, pointing towards his wife, slowly pulling the decorative wrapped from the box.

However, as she did, the deep scent of iron raced into my nose. Taking a whiff, a deep understanding entered my heart.

"No." Tian Wang cried, racing to his wife, whose finger trembled just as she was about to open the box. "Don't look!"

Yet, just as his words rang, an agonizing bellow howled into the air as the box turned to ash, revealing what I could only think was Arsene's doing.

"Oh, Shit,"