Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Staring at Arsene talking with Lilith, I felt a little out of place. Especially when He told me about my obvious weakness, it would be a lie if I said I didn't resent Arsene a bit. It was childish, but I was not too full of myself to agree. I was not that adept at schemes like he was.

I loved schemes, but I could not handle them on such a big plain like Arsene and father. While I could think ten steps ahead, he was a hundred steps in front, already planning my next hundred steps as well as his.

Staring at the duo, I bitterly smiled, "I'll see you all tomorrow morning. We can talk then."

With a single step, I vanished, appearing within a secluded location of Midgard filled with a deep mist around me. With small flacks of ice falling from the heavens, I closed my eyes. It was only a few words, but it really had me thinking.

"Was I worthy of being a true King of Hell? Father... at my age could not compare to me. I was one of the top ten strongest within my generation. With Lilith being number one, it is not talent that makes a good ruler nor my understanding of Mortal Dao. Dao is merely a path.

"Little Ezra? What has gotten you so down?" A childlike voice suddenly called as I saw a bright emerald light fill my vision. Suddenly two small pairs of arms wrapped around my head as my lips curled upwards.

"Aunty Yggisil, it's a pleasure to meet you again," I said as the little girl, as small as a three-year-old, smiled, wrapping her legs around my neck as she patted me.

"Big Sis Levi asked that I check up on you every now and again. It seems she was correct. Come tell aunty what's wrong."

Feeling the warm body of Ygg, I couldn't help but smile as I lifted her off my neck before staring into her rainbow-colored eyes glimmering with intrigue "I don't know what to do. I have a path, but I feel like Lilith and Arsene are the ones that control it. I feel like I'm simply their subordinate."

Reaching out with her child-like arms Ygg, suddenly smirked, flicking my head, "Dummy, then stop acting like a subordinate. Did you not want to be a king? Make your own plans and follow through like they are doing." SHe matter of factly said with a hint of arrogance as she raised her head high.

"Do not be sucked into their charisma and charm. I have been studying that murderous bastard, Arsene, and I find that aside from his cruel mannerism, he is very good at leading."

"He will beg to differ." I corrected with a self-mocking smile. "I have heard on multiple occasions of him saying he is not a good leader."

"Than you are a fool just as much as he is. There are many ways to lead, and Arsene chose the most brutal and vicious path. He will not straight out kill you. No, he will use you till you are nothing and your will has been shattered. Look at you, Ezra. A few words and you have already lost your path, and you don't even realize." Ygg barked, her innocent gaze slowly fading.

"It was only one conversation, but you are within his grasp. Even he does not realize it, but all the words he has spoken have been causing hundreds to form devil hearts. Even among your kind, I have not seen someone so talented in the Art of manipulation."

Slowly growing pale, I arose as space began to crack. Staring at the newcomer, I clenched my fist, knowing this was his plan, "Is this why you wanted me to visit Arsene?" I barked in loathing, glaring viciously at father.

"It is; I wanted him to create a devil heart within you. We devils are usually immune to such things, but once we get them, it's almost a death sentence." Father explained, sending aunty Ygg a deep glance. "However, my plan did not involve you finding out till it was deeply rooted into your soul."

Arching her brow, father continued, "Will you continue within that form before me, Yggdrasil?" He said as his eyes gleamed with a powerful, attractive force.

"I am a pacifist Asmodeus, not to mentions I am sisters with your wife. I have no reason to be baited. I only explained what was going on because you are making a mistake."

"Oh me? I have been alive since before the birth of this omnivore verse. I have watched as you were formed; I have seen all there is to offer. Yet, you say I am making a mistake."

"Yes... go ask your wife if you don't believe me." Ygg said, vanishing as father visibly paled.

"...did she tell on me...Fuck I'm going to hear it."

"Damn right, what the hell are you thinking? For lucifer's sake, why would you do this to me? Your own daughter." I screamed as I could feel something crawl its way into my soul.

"A true king would not ask why girl, but... I did it for you. Do you know what a cultivator's greatest weapon is?" He asked as my anger continued to grow.

"Is it not power and intelligence?"

Shaking his head in disappointment, he opened his mouth, "It's the ability to be self-aware. It's the ability to know right from wrong. If you are not aware of your actions, you are nothing more than a fool. You wish to be King, but you lack even the basic qualifications to rule."

Bitting my lips, I could feel my heart being stabbed by his words as fathers eyes slowly began to chill as I felt a bone-chilling intent bearing down upon my head.

CRACK

Falling to my knees, my bones began to shatter as my skin slowly peeled, "YOU WISH FOR MY SEAT, YET YOU KNEEL! IF YOU WANT IT COME AT ME LIKE A KING!"

Vomiting some of my organs, fear flooded my soul as I tried to look up at fath...No at the Lord of Demons, Asmodeus. Yet, all I could see was merely his shadow consuming me whole.

"I am the second incarnations of Asmodeus, and none have been able to take that seat from me. Should a king stand against me, he will die. It will not be the first time. Why do you think there have been multiple incarnations of princes and kings. I have been the one who kills them, girl. Bael is currently on his fifth incarnation, Paimon is on his fourth. I do not give second chances, my child, but to you... HAHAHA, COME, TAKE IT!!!!"

With one final voice, Father vanished as burning tears ran from my bleeding sockets. Coughing up another mouth full of blood, I shivered in pain, gasping for air.

"Father?"