Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Soaring through the azure skies, filled with hundreds of disciples, I could not help but think of Lilith's ulterior motives in regards to this Soul Defense. She should know that I hold the inherited memories of the devils and demons. Why would she want to make me go the this Martial Hall?

My heritage as a devil with the bloodline of Bael gave me a field of knowledge regarding the soul. The three layers of the soul and the powers each of them held. It was safe to say. I knew more about souls than most devils. Then there was that library I refused to use due to the insane prices of souls it required.

The Orginal Bael had gifted me his infinite knowledge, but not without a price. I was sure he knew Zariel; that devil knew many things.

"There!" Lilith suddenly exclaimed, pointing towards a five-story Pagoda standing with a powerful whiff of an ancient air to it.

Descending from the skies to the base, Lilith smiled, "Try not to anger the Elder presiding over the Martial Hall."

"I take offense to that." I justified, flicking my ashen hair. I am a saint."

She smiled, narrowing her emerald eyes, and giggled, "Well, dear saint. I would watch it if I were you. Who knows what will happen."

Heading towards the entrance, I pushed the doors opened and welcomed the sight of books racing down tall shelves. Turning to my left, I saw another elderly man resting his eyes. Silence seemed to have taken over this hall, as I did not even hear the sounds of footsteps.

Staring at the man, who had not bothered to open his eyes, to me, Lilith pulled my sleeve, "Come on. Let's take a look at some Soul Artes." She whispered, but my gaze remained locked upon the elderly man. There was something off about him.

I was sure he was powerful, but something about him made me feel familiar. Sensing my gaze, the elderly man opened his gaze that seemed to devour the light. My soul trembled, and my blood shook as something tried to connect with me.

However, as this familiar essence tried to connect us, the Path of Abyssal Night severed Tenebrae's intent freeing me from her grasp. Bewildered by this unfolding event, I felt Lilith jerk me away.

"You had bettered keep walking you, idiot." Lilith's soul whispered via our soul tether. "Your lucky your intent and the Path are now fusing. If not, he would have known you were a child of Tenebrae. From there, it's not hard to find out you are Arsene."

"Sorry. Tenebrae's influence over my blood still exists. Meeting a brother and sister is still a little weird." I replied mentally.

Lilith pursed her lips and dragged me up a few floors, but I could still feel that elder's gaze locked on me. Although I was sure he didn't sense anything regarding Tenebrae, I was sure his instincts were telling him something. Whether it was a good thing or not, I was not too sure.

"Each floor is reserved for specific disciples, the highest even I am not allowed on, but the fourth layer held a Soul Arte I took a particular interest in as I was browsing." She explained as we raced up the stairs. Dodging through any disciple we saw, Lilith dragged me towards a lone shelf covered in dirt.

Noticing the faint absence of disciples. There existed a lone book a bit tattered that appeared recently wiped cleaned, Knowing this was the one Lilith spoke of. I pulled it from the shelf and gazed heavily at its name.

"Devourer," I muttered half of its name off. The rest had faded away with the passage of time, yet as I held this book, something within my blood boiled. My heartfelt warmth and my soul stirred with a belonging sensation. Yet beneath this warmth, something sinister grew.

Consuming me with a bloodlust I held down every day since I became a god, I turned to Lilith with bloodshot eyes. "What is this?"

"It's whatever you make of it. Do you remember the time you held a spear or a bow?" She reminded me as I recalled the affinity I held back then. "You are smart enough, talented enough, and skilled enough, to weave a new Soul Arte based on what you see in this book. It shouldn't take more than a few days with your monstrous talent."

She smiled and glanced down at the manual in my palm, "This may be your first bloodline Arte. Artificial Progenitors like you don't have the luxury of having the heavens make their arte for them. You were lucky to have your darkness corrupt any Dao you use. That can be counted as your only skill, but this may change you and your kind completely."

Tracing my fingers over its name, a grin appeared on my lips, "Seems like my wife is my master now."

Lilith suddenly drew closer to my ear and sent her moist breath over my cheeks, "I may even tell you how to fuck me right."

"Screw you!" I snapped.

"Please do!" She fired back in laughter.

"You two leave now!" The elder down below suddenly thundered, shaking the walls with his mighty voice.

Arching my lips, I stole a kiss from Lilith's plum cheeks and leaped from the balcony. Landing near the elder glaring, I chuckled and placed the manual down, "I would like to check this out."

Eyeing the Devourer manual coldly, his gaze weighed heavy on my soul. Pressuring me with his stone-like eyes, I held firm as he sighed.

"Are you sure? From the report I got, you specialize in Lightning. This is a Yin base Soul Arte." He claimed as my brow shot up.

"I only plan on using it as a base; I never use artes I find. I make my own." I confirmed, watching the surprise grow in his eyes.

"I can also confirm that Uncle Aiden. He is quite hateful like that!" Lilith vibrantly shouted, leaping down on my back and rested her head on my hair like she was a mother hen.

"Wait, he is your husband?" Elder Aiden suddenly shouted, with surprise, as the little minx giggled.

'Yup! I told you all I was already married." Lilith joyously expressed.

"Asura Bloodgrave," I introduced, wondering what the hell Lilith did. What the hell was my cover story supposed to be?