Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Pacing back and forth with a sweaty brow and her hands folded firmly behind her back, Yu Jing's expression held an ashen complexion.

"Will you give it a rest?" I pleaded.

"How could I!" She snapped, glaring at me sharply. "I have been taking care of Arkanos and Ty for a hundred years! They are family!"

"My god, you have some issues. They are not even your kids. Stop this madness," I urged, unable to take any more. It had only been a few days, but Yu Jing had gone bat shit crazy. From insomnia that keeps me from sleeping or cultivating to taking up Draconic Art of the two dragon girls. Yu Jing was acting like a mother whose kids left with an unreliable parent.

"But their cheeks are so fluffy." She said as if this was supposed to defend her obsession. Although I cannot help her, Aiza has been missing since Arsene and Lilith's mission, and no one was telling us what had happened. Even my Master had kept silent in regards to this matter.

Taking a deep breath to soothe my tense nerves, I sighed and fell back on my bed. The Holy Swords had kindly gifted me. It's hard to believe they expect Gods to cultivate every day. It's not like if they do it stop will it grant them more Divinity.

"Kurt and--"

"Kurt has been out of it for a couple of months since he got that intel. I do not trust him, with two little girls, no matter how strong Little Ty might be, she is just a baby." She added, narrowing her eyes, "But why did Kurt disobey our Master? None of us were supposed to leave. A do-gooder like him would not ignore his master words without good reason."

I frowned and shook my head. "He had come to me for advice." I hesitantly professed, recalling the desperate look on his face filled with guilt. "He said he had info of an old friend but never went into great detail."

"Our masters will not be pleased." Said Yu Jing, with a bit of bitterness in her tone.

"Still no word?" I asked, remembering the other Masters returning covered in blood. Lord Vulron was bearly recognizable, but Lady Aiza was missing, and no one had wished to speak of what had happened no matter how much we asked. In the past hundred years, Aiza had not made any appearances to teach her only disciple as the others did at the end of each month.

"None," She replied, shaking her head. "It's fine, though. I know she is safe. She is, after all one of the strongest founders. I will see you later, Cleo." She muttered, withdrawing from sight in a wisp of wind that swirled like a tornado around her body. She was then gone from my sight.

Releasing a strenuous breath, I sighed, falling back onto my bed. "The only reason the Founders would not tell us if Aiza was dead was if she was heavily injured or worse."

"Always so logical." Master's indifferent voice uttered from the shadows.

Shooting up, I leaped off my bed, landing on my two feet. "Master!" I cheerfully sang.

Stepping out of the shadows of my room, close to the door, He smiled, "Where is Kurt?" he asked a little grimly.

"Heading to the Lesser Galaxy of Gallreum, to assassinate someone," I told, having never seen Master so grim.

"I will tell his master, but your Trial has started." He coldly said. I narrowed my eyes and frowned.

"Why now?"

Master Theo released a sharp breath and shook his head, "Because Arsene is on his way to becoming a Realm Lord in a couple more years. Have you never wondered what came of Einar and Ezra's mission?" He asked as I shook my head, having forgotten about it. Arsene rarely even bothered to ask about it.

"Well, first off, the devils had made it, so no one was going to force Alos from being his Territory. Think of it as a gift for delivering Arc-Angels Yael's head. So that's about seventy percent of all Divinity pushing him to new heights. The rest comes from Midgard, and the worlds the other devils contoured under the name Veavictus, and most importantly Devil Hearts."

"Devil Hearts?" I repeated when I suddenly felt like I was struck in the head, "Einar and Erza! That was all to make Devil's Hearts?"

"Indeed." He claimed knowing I understood. "Hateful people will always find a way to make others just as hateful. It's like a web or, maybe more accurately, a sickness Cleo. That bastard has infected people, and it's spreading. The Swords Coast is now consumed with devil hearts."

Master's face only grew darker the longer he spoke, "With Alos apart of his Territory, while it's not a tremendous amount of Divinity, it's unheard of for a star-lord to possess such a great territory. Our timetable has shrunk. If we do not act quickly, we will lose control over Arsene.

"What will you have me do?" I coldly asked. I knew Master didn't wish to deal with Arsene, but it seems like whatever that Devil did made Master wish to take part.

"Inform the Holy Swords of a rise in devil hearts. We need to cut off Arsene's supply over this sect. Everything he does has a reason. Even angering people. Speak with the higher-ups with Yu Jing, and make them understand." He informed with brewing darkness filling his eyes, "Your trial will be dangerous, Cleo. From this point on, you are to begin sabotaging Arsene Snow. His talents are far more terrifying than I wish to admit."

"He is not the only one who has been growing stronger, Master." I challenged, flaring my Divinity, revealing a mid-stage Star-Lord cultivation. Witnessing Master's fierce eyes rise, I giggled, "See? Once we raise our battle prowess, we will be just like Arsene Snow." I declared in certainty.

I didn't know why but the moment I became a god. Divinity had just begun pouring into me at a fierce rate. It wasn't a lot of Divinity, but it's very pure. Purer than my own body. At this moment, Arsene and I were in the same realm.

Master eyed me in mixed emotions. There was joy, suspicion, and great pride. However, I could see a distance within him growing as the suspicion in his eyes only grew.

"How?" He calmly asked.

I shook my head, "It happened a hundred years ago. Divinity just poured through my veins. Why? You think something is wrong?" I calmly asked as I knew nothing was wrong with my body or soul.

"We will check a little later. Just keep up the good work,"