Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Admiral, how long are you expected to be missing, " Captain Soral hesitantly asked over the communicator, a small narrow device I had on my wrist.

"You called me just for something so needless?" I sharply hissed. "Are you so bored, Captain?"

There was a long silence as I waited for Captain Soral to respond, snorting quite annoyed over his actions, which needlessly disrupted my intel gathering. My eyes shot down from the Echo-X onto the small village to the villagers working desperately over the last few days.

"I have received some information of the organism team one has gathered, alongside the Nanomechs." I slowly started, "Have you been able to gather communications from our brethren? The Horizon Zero is strong enough to release a signal to cover this world. Unless our signal is being disrupted."

"We have, Admiral. It's just that." Soral paused, unsure how to proceed.

"Just what?" I irritably snapped in my calm and serene voice, making it hard for most to understand my emotions.

"Admiral, it seems like Vice-Admiral Veruim's ship was damaged by a powerful beast, alongside a cross-shape starship. He, alongside his crew, survived. We managed to connect to his cybernetics to direct message him. From his intel and the map we gathered from hacking into other holocubes, we created a relatively detailed chart and found that we are about a year's journey, seven on foot without transport like Echos."

"Captain, next time, start with such vital intel. I don't have time to waste on idle chatter." I darkly snapped. "I will message Vice Admiral Veruim personally. Stand by."

"Sir." He said and disconnected.

Pondering over this hectic situation, I turned to Arsene, who had spent the last few days with Freya. Sending him a message through his holocube, the Echo hummed to life and whipped towards the ground, just outside Arsene's tent, and landed, as he came out, with a dark, pale expression. Noting the pain and anger as he peered up at the sun, I frowned but didn't speak of it.

"Now, how did you get my Holocubes information?"

"I hacked it weeks ago," I said, and he just stared at me. "It doesn't have much data regarding my situation, and it's all broken up and doesn't help me."

"You know how to start a conversation, don't you?" He said, shaking his head, " So what is it? I thought you would have been busy helping the villagers."

"One of my vice-admirals, Star Revolvers, was destroyed by a group I am not familiar with, do you know? They were aboard a cross-shape ship."

"Those were the Angels from the seven Heavens," He said, startling me. "Did we not mention that? I guess that is my bad. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Arsene Snow, Lord of Noctem. One of the Leaders of the resistance against the Seven Heavens, who is set on destroying the bed of chaos, alongside other realms."

"The Angels, actual angels are battling against you?" I muttered, unable to understand what was happening from what I knew, from our archives that survived the purge. Angels were unequal. They were the peak, same as the Devil of the Nines. But they usually never participated in cosmic events like war, much less genocide. The Angels and Devils usually would take an interest in a particular creature and would train or assist them, but that would lead to a cosmic event. They didn't get their hands dirty. Never before had the angels actively battled against anyone.

"Well, I did kill a few of their Arc-angel." He said, startling me. Tilting my head, I slowly circled him and frowned.

"But your—"

"Weak? Yes, I can see that. Surely, a woman of your intelligence can understand killing people stronger than you. I am sure you weren't born at the peak." He replied, carrying a devilish smile, "I plotted, killed two archangels and a prince of hell."

A Lord of Noctem? Now that is interesting. Are his schemes so great, or does he just have good luck? Maybe it's both. If Asmodeus is in league with him, everything makes better sense. It seems like I need to make adjustments. I was right to follow this boy. He may be able to benefit me greatly.

"Cooking up a scheme?"

"Yes,"

Arsene's brow twitched, " You really are too blunt." He smiled and nodded. "So, what side will you be on?"

"To take your word on this matter would be foolish. Since the Angels have decided to attack my people, they are my enemies, at least for now." I coldly relayed. "What will it take for you to tell me everything?"

He smiled.

"It's free." He said, but I shook my head.

"I don't do things for free. I will grant you an Echo-X to you and your compatriots. From what I know, based on the map gathered, if we wish to leave, it could take seven or more years if we go on foot. Even if you use your Holocube as a means of transport, the max it would—"

"Deal," He said.

"Just like that?" I calmly said, getting a far better picture of Arsene. If I did not need information, I would not accept this deal. A shame he is dealing with me. I am not one to show gratitude over a favor. Data for a few Bikes? That was not a fair deal. But he still agreed. That's arrogance, or he believes me to be valuable too. I may not be for off, in my earlier assessment in thinking him a devil. Even if he is not, being so close to devils makes me think he can carry himself against a true devil—a dangerous fellow.

"Still scheming, aren't you?" He remarked, and I nodded. Arsene chuckled, pulled out a holocube, placed it to his head, and then handed it to me. "Here. It makes me wonder who you will pick. War is on the horizon, and if you think neutrality will mean anything, then I'm afraid you will not survive long.

Arsene's eyes held a chilling light as he spoke. He glanced over the horizon and then towards the villagers and smiled, turning his back and waving me off, as he headed back into his tent.

Gripping the Holocube in my palm, I stared at Arsen's back, vanished, and I too left. Riding off back to my camp.