Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"That bastard Abbadon is dead, I say!" A raging man, known by Solfar Rixnos, bellowed savagely, slamming his tankard of ale over the table. He cried out with a booming rage as many cheered. "What say, you men!"

"He's dead! DEAD!!!' Many cried in cheer as I pursed my lips sitting across from Arkanos, devouring my wallet.

My god, this little dragon can eat! It's been two hours since we entered, and all she has been doing is draining what little money I had.

Crying imaginary tears, all I could do was listen in on the conversation around me.

"I cannot believe the Courts are so adamant in finding that bastard. I hear a commander of the Golden Flame of Styx arrive today." Said Solfar Rixnos, slipping secrets not many should know.

To think a Star-Lord, like him, would be so... Normal. However, it's not like I hang around many people. God's getting drunk is properly an everyday occurrence on Alos.

"Lynx is here! Bloody Hell, so the Courts have finally decided to get serious. Just who is this Abbadon?" Claimed a man sitting near Solfar with a downcast expression, sipping his tankard.

"No idea. But the name Vaevictus is being thrown out in the Courts. It seems like it's an organization that is rising fast." Griddian Tray, one of the few men's names I could read, uttered calmly. "But it's not just Lynx that's coming. Even his disciple is here, Zando.

Narrowing my eyes, I lowered my head, taking a sip of the frothy ice-cold ale, warming and chilling my throat and chest. Humming under the dim light of this restaurant that was more like a bar than I thought, I maintained an indifferent expression.

I need to find a way to increase my cultivation qi quickly. Regular Cultivation pills are not doing anything. Even if they are lased with divinity, it's not enough to do anything to my Dantian, a fusion of both Qi and physique.

"Papa, Arkanos is still hungry."

Twitching my brow, my hand flashed, knocking the young girl upon the head, "The Hell you are! Five High-Grade Celeste is gone due to you! Your full damn it!" I scolded without care of her watery eyes.

"But Papa--"

Stopping mid-sentence, Arkanos frowned, turning to the exit across the restaurant from where we stood. Finding my gaze also on a man with long golden hair, held in a neat ponytail, an evil chill trickled over my heel as if a hound was bearing its fangs ready to strike.

Hearing the whisper of the Nine Hell's echo his name into my soul, I frowned, peering deep into the heart of the handsome gentleman smiling with a bit of conceit. Leaving me disgusted beyond measure.

'Another Demonic Cultivator. How crass. It seems like Nox is not below using demons like him.' I muttered beneath my breath, without any warmth.

"He smells bad, Papa," Arkanos whispered, moving from the other side of the table onto my side. She hugged my arm, trembling. Feeling her usually warm skin to the touch now cold like ice, my frown only deepened.

"Sir Zando Godfray, my god. You are here!" Solfar Rixnos shouted, rising to attention, staggering in place, as the Amber Blossom in his gut loosened his mind.

Catching the glance of my waiter, I made a slight gesture I was ready for the check. In contrast, Arkanos's grip over my arm grew tighter.

"Calm yourself, little one." I comforted gently, with words colder than that of the reaper that governs the Hells. "Never show fear. You are my child. Even if you are scared, one must never show it."

Lifting her small head, the hesitation was all but visible on Arkanos's teary face. Kissing her fluffy cheeks, the little dragon snuggled into my arms, completely pacified.

Damn, I want a baby girl! My own would be even cuter! Screw boys, those little fuckers are only there to steal my wife!

Stepping past the threshold, a man I held more disgust in than a damn Prince of Hell walked in, his gaze focused entirely upon Solfar.

"I would have assumed you were on patrol this night, Solfar. Same for you, Griddian. My Master sent me a complete map of Casia and all the patrol routes. Yet here you are, drunker than a whore, before her wedding night."

"We had our shifts covered and approved. No harm was found m'lord." Said Solfar hastily, perspiring from every pore.

The waiter, in his haste, approached, handing me the check with a fretful smile. Not waiting for the situation to get out of hand, I handed the man an extra high-grade Celeste for Arkanos cleaning out the kitchen.

"Come, Ark. Let's go," I added in this dead silent restaurant.

Discerning a sinister gaze upon my neck, head, and Dantain. My heart turned cold as it trailed upon Arkanos.

"You there." Zando called out, directed at me, "Quite brave of you. Speaking when I am."

Hiding my cultivation with Abyssal Night, my gaze smoldering with the Sin's of Hell tugged at my heart at this thing before my sights.

"Come," I uttered, pulling Arkanos little hands. Not bothering to respond, I made for the exit.

Suddenly the air began to burn, with a sinister heat that would threaten most. Getting a glimpse of the flame at the corner of my eyes, I hoisted Arkanos into my arm, pinching her cheery cheeks with my lips.

Giggling as a dark mist rose from the very darkness around me, the flash of thunder blacker than the night skies thundered over my body.

"Did I say you can leave?" Zando uttered fiendishly as I turned my sights towards the man whose right arm was shimmering with a golden black flame.

I did not smile, as I could not find the energy nor muscles even to entertain the idea—There were many people I could stand in this world. Many, I might add. But Zando. Never.

Casting a stare upon his flaming arm, I snapped as the very flames around his arm vanished, leaving the Peak Demi-God gobsmacked.

"Were I not here with my daughter, blood would have rained over this restaurant, Zando Godfray," I uttered, taking my leave with none daring to stop me.

It had to be understood that no one was able to do what I just did. My comprehension within the realm of flames was so profound and intricate that if one didn't pass the final tier of Dao comprehension, one had no chance of facing me in the Dao of Flames.

Glancing back at the small restaurant on Sevenths street called Fire Crest, I knew it was time for me to start my daily, or should I say nightly hunting.