Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Don't believe we have," I replied without a sort of familiarity. "Can you say you would have forgotten, one with hair as red as mine?"

Slightly lifting her lips, a trace of amusement echoed from her sweet, fairy-like voice, "Such a wild firey attitude to match it, as well. No, I don't believe we have met, but you are familiar."

"I would like to welcome you all, but I am afraid I am here on business." Said Yu Lan flatly, crossing her arms clad in robes that seemed to shimmer to my dismay. It was quick, but I could definitely sense a faint pulse of distortion. " How is it you were able to enter this kingdom without me knowing about it?"

'She has done something to the space around us, Sene," I sent over via our connection.

Revealing nothing on his expression, Arsene spoke out plainly, "You know already, why ask? It was the Nexus Gate, as I am sure you figured."

Sending a peculiar stare to Li Su, who nodded in return, her gaze fell upon me for some reason, "Are you aware, everything within a fifty-kilometer of the Kafiea Mountains was slaughtered. All that remained was an ocean of blood and death.

Mother! You really are something!

"I cannot say I was aware. We were, after all, just at the summit, within the clouds." I truthfully explained, placing my hands on my waist, "But it's quite the quandary, isn't it?"

"Watch your tongue, girl," Shouted a Knight standing at attention behind Yu Lan.

"There was a woman, your grace, She—"

Halting middle sentence, a chill appeared within my eyes as Li Su took a staggering step back. Trembling to stand, blood gushed from his mouth as his very eyes caught fire. Charring his sockets bare, till all that was left was melted flesh, an almost hellish flame, the color of crimson and black tore at his skull.

"AAAAAAAH~" Howling, till his throat tore and his fingers dug into his chest, Li Su fell to his knees, to the horror of everyone present.

"Yeah... So I'm not saying a word!" Said Arsene pointing towards the screaming knight, "There are reasons we didn't say anything."

Covering my nose at the dense scent of burnt flesh, I covered the Dragon Girls eyes, who was shivering in fear.

Waving her hand, a wave of holy essence filled the air, covering Li Su, yet his screams only began to rise even more. Speeding down from his sockets, the Hellish flames slithered their way down into his throat and beyond.

"What in the world!" Whispered The Queen, pulling her divinity way as the flames continued to burn with such intensity that I felt my pores begin to dry.

It was a chilling sight, but the man we saw filled with such vibrant life was being shredded by mother's flames that seemed to hold no intent of killing, only tormenting him. His skin had long charred, turning to a sea of embers, as a trace of ashes seemed to peal from his burned flesh.

"Remove these blasted flames now!" Screamed Yu Lan, summoning a long elegant golden trident that appeared just at the tip of my neck.

"We are simply in the Realm of World."Said Arsene fearlessly, placing his hands just on the tip of the golden trident at my neck, "We cannot produce such a flame. He spoke of things he wasn't meant to and paid the price. What do you expect us to do?"

"Enough, mother!" Yu Jing coldly shouted, pulling out her sword from her waist, sending a masterful sword stroke towards Li Su. The princess swiftly put an end to his screams. Severing his head in a single arch, we watched a sea of ash flutter about the moment his head touched the ground.

Taken back by the chilling indifference of Yu Jing, Arsene's words echoed within my mind, "That girl is strange, don't you think? She is far too cold for a princess who grew up in this type of environment. I truly want to look at her soul."

"Yu Jing!" Shouted, Yu Lan withdrawing her trident from my neck.

"I put an end to his miserable existence. It was a mercy," uttered Yu Jing flatly, sheathing her blade without pause for concern. "Is this not what you expect of me."

Gritting her teeth, Yu Lan turned as the knights swiftly parted, "You truly are becoming a monster. There were several methods you could have used. Did you not find it strange that he didn't die when the flames were within his sockets? The fire did not kill him. It was never meant to."

"Guess we will never know." Stated Yu Jing without any semblance of care or remorse.

Noticing a mournful sigh escape Yu Lan, she withdrew without a word.

"Guess you and your mother are estranged?" I inquired, removing my hands from Arkanos, who stood silent.

"Someone clean this up and deliver it to his family." Shouted Yu Jing, taking her leave without any last words.

Staring at her back as she withdrew from sight, Arsene chuckled, "Seems we stepped into something we were not meant to."

"Yeah, but let's go for now. We have a few Celeste from selling the pill master's things. Let's go see if we can't find a map of the area."

Finishing my glass of water that was a little warm from Mother's rather ruthless strike, Arsene and I, followed by the Little Dragon, left the silent Dinning hall. Making our way out, through the various halls, and elevators we left the Heavenly Inn Hotel.

Stepping out onto the streets blistering with thousands of people, a rather handsome elf with a long fur snow-white coat approached us with a graceful bow, "Young Masters, Where would you like to go."

"Any places we can buy a map at?" Inquired Arsene, staring off at the people on a gondola.

It was pretty strange when we first arrived, but the majority of people had to use these gondolas to get around. While walking on the sidewalk near the waterways that stretched endlessly throughout the City was plausible, it was far slower.

"Indeed, just a few minutes journey, there should be no need for a gondola unless you so wish it." He said with a casual smile.

"No need," I answered.

"Than, Please follow me, Your Grace. I will deliver you to Seventh Street, the largest strip that is said to carry anything one desires." He announced, striding ahead with confidence in each step.

"he is cute," I muttered into Arsene's ear, getting a sweet kiss upon my lips.

Giggling at the rather amused glint, Arsene asked, "What is it you expect to get from this trip? I know it's not just to bathe within the Oasis."

"It benefits the both of us, but I feel it will make more sense when we arrive. There are a few people that may be able to help both of us. Although they may hate you."

"Me? Why?"

"Not you per see, but rather a member of your family... Who I snitched on." I shamelessly said, grabbing myself another kiss before rushing ahead.

"DAMN YOU!!!! What if they want to kill me!!!!"

"Than Run!' I screamed in response as Arsene chased.