Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Standing over the towering gates that lead towards the Sect of The Holy Swords, I eyed the two guards at the entrance with a different set of features. While the Ring of Babel had done me well, I needed to be sure. Especially in this deadly game.

Returning my hair to its ashen features and my eyes to a glistering gold, I reduced my height to a few centimeters and cladded myself in some noticeable jewels around my finger and neck to impose the effect of a wealthy young master as I held a contentious smile that touched over my lips.

At the entrance of the Holy Swords, two draconic males, gripping spears, glared profusely. To the right stood one with golden scales and fangs that did not seem to fit within his mouth. Stretching over his lower lip, he growled, baring stained-filled teeth.

Disgusted by the foul stench emanating from his breath, I halted my steps, "Is this how the Holy Swords represent their newcomers? Brush your damn teeth. I can see a shit-filled air pouring out." I coldly mocked, covering my nose. "How do you stand him?"

Turning his head, the draconic guard with shiny azure scales turned his head and shuttered. Knowing he was holding in his laughter, I admit this was not the best first impression for the Holy Swords and me.

"What is it you want?" Aron, the lowly peak False God, with golden scales barked.

"Admissions, of course. I am a Star-Lord, and a young one at that," I quickly said, lowering my hand using my comprehension of the winds to push away his foul breath that smelt worse than rotten fish.

Taken back, he looked up at the dark skies. and his lizard-like eyes contorted, "It's night."

"I know. Yet here I am." I coldly refuted, "Cultivators don't need to sleep, nor do gods. time of date should not matter, or am I mistaken."

Returning his gaze to me, Flynn, the Azure dragon man, narrowed his lazy eyes and glanced at his partner, who in turn nodded.

Flashing their finger to their nose in a competitive glint, Aron roared, "Not it!"

"Not it... Damn it!" Flynn cried, a beat too late."Fuck!"

Twitching my brow at this childish game, Aron crackled in laughter, "You up bitch! You deal with it."

Hanging his head low, Flynn sighed, "Fine. Follow me." he muttered pitifully.

Amused by these two fools messing around, Flynn walked through the entrance as I followed without words.

"Your name?" He said as he led me through a door, heading inside the towering building behind the gates. Witnessing Flynn ripple away out of sight, I followed behind. Leading me into what seemed like a new world. My eyes widened as we emerged in another space and time altogether.

The skies were Azure blue, and the air, a cooling breeze of spring. Startled by the change, I turned to Flynn, who had not bothered to stop.

"Your name? Don't tell me you forgot?" He repeated, with a sea of a few hundred strangers surrounding me.

"Asura," I replied calmly, scanning my surrounding.

Around me, I could see two large chains the size of a building stretching past the clouds; however, past that, I could not tell, as a barrier seemed to block any unwelcome gazes or intent. Nevertheless, beneath these chains upon the ground appeared a grassy plain.

"Well, Asura, strange name, by the way. Our pocket dimension within The Holy Swords Sect allows time to move a bit faster, so a week here is like a day in Casia." He said as I nodded. "There are five tests. The Test of Age, Potential, Knowlege, Power, and Will."

"Cool, can I take them all at once?" I asked, eyeing the competition.

"Boy, you have a lot of confidence. I like that!" A bulky bald-headed deity littered with tattoos running over his bare chest roared. Holding a greatsword larger than me on his back, he crackled in spirited laughter, "The name is Kingsly Hyland, the Recruitment Elder, and out of the seven hundred thousand, only seven are allowed to join."

large as a bear, a hint of admiration appeared over my face. "Your very muscular; wanna be my wingman? I can be the pretty boy, and you the muscle."

Kingsly blinked a few times and grinned, "Pass my trial, and we shall see."

"Today is the recruitment of the new batch, so let's see," He shouted, flaring his Heavenly God's power as if to intimidate me, Ignorant of my greatness.

Valis was supposed to vouch for me, but it seems like everyone else benefited but me. I hate going through hoops. If they are all here, then everything will be set, but I am sure their status will be a bit higher than mine. I need to make myself known.

Cracking my neck, a competitive glint flickered through my eyes, "I'm going to break every record."

Holding me in a solemn light, Kingsly flew into the air, raining his vibrant divinity over us; I did nothing but standstill as everyone else trembled. Clapping his hands, the ground began to tremble as a large ruby red shard sprouted from the ground, appearing like a sea of flames.

"Good Luck, Asura," Said Flynn softly, "Kingsly is known for his brutal trials."

"Thanks," I replied.

Walking away from my sight, I shifted my attention to the ruby crystal. Hovering over the tip of this curved shard that resembled a flame, Kingsly crossed his arms and spoke. "For those who don't know, this is a game of death. We, as cultivators, take risks every day we hunt for treasure or resources. So I will not tell you the rules, but if you are above the required age of your cultivation, this shard will pop your skull open and rain your brain over the skies like confetti."

Taken back by Kingsly's rather crude words, I glanced around at the dreadful faces of my competition. It would be a bit easy to kill everyone and be done with this simple matter, but I think that would be a little on the nose.

I had long forgotten how old I was, but if I had to guess, I was about a hundred years, maybe less old. Hiding that fact was a bit easy for me, as Devils had innate control of souls.

"Sir! What if one is a soul bender?" A tall, young man with scarlet hair and emerald eyes inquired, raising his hand quite a distance away.

Resisting the urge to get a better view with the Dao of Darkness, I could only shake my head at the fool who would say such a thing. Was he ignorant of the fact Nox was hunting our kind?

"Then it will read your bones," Kingsly claimed grimly, staring at the young man whose name did not seem to appear within my mind like they usually do.

Arching my lips at this information, I chuckled, ready to bring this Sect to its knees. Screw hiding my greatness; that shit never works. I, Arsene Snow, don't have it in me to be sneaky. My pride will not allow it.

The fact I have to hide my feature and my name is already insulting, but I will not hide my greatness all the world shall know, Pain.... I mean Arsene Snow!