Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Hundreds of thoughts filled my mind as I opened my eyes, remembering my emotional state with Mother. A grimace spread across my face as I looked down at my hands.

My thoughts were faster, and I felt far stronger, but there was something off about me...I didn't feel complete, as if something was broken. Throwing that thought to the back of my mind, I arose from the bed before gazing at Father lying next to me, watching over me with care.

"So you awoke, did you sleep well, sène," He asked using a new title I had never heard of.

"I did, but where are we," I asked, bewildered of where I was.

Val laughed brightly before placing his massive palm over my head, "Don't worry about that for now. Today we will be talking about cultivation."

Hearing 'cultivation,' my eyes grew wide as I smiled radiantly, staring intensely into Val's dark eyes. A light smirk hung on his lips as he continued.

"Cultivation is the process of stealing the energy of the heaven and earth and fueling it within ourselves. This allows us to fly and do many other things."

Suddenly a powerful force assaulted my body as I began floating above Father. A gasped sound from my lungs as I stared hungrily at him.

"Will papa teach me," I asked with excitement.

Beaming with joy, Val nodded, lowering me back down to the bed, "Of course, the beginning of cultivation is known as the Realm of Blood. In this stage, we train our bodies to the limit of what humans could achieve. The Realm of Blood is broken up into four stages, early, mid, late, and Peak. We can discuss what happens next after you reach the peak of this stage." Val patently explained.

Nodding my head, I began replaying everything my father said to me over and over again within my memory palace, analyzing everything.

"How do I start,"

Seeing me so impatient, Val slapped the back of my head with a smirk, "patience, little one, we are currently heading to the House of Snow. You can wait until then!"

Puffing my cheeks, I stuck my tongue out at father before flying up from the bed. Watching me race away, Val grinned, "A kid is just a kid," he murmured, unaware I could still hear his voice.

Rushing through the narrow corridor, loud noises abruptly filled my ears as I suddenly entered a large cabin. Staring out at all the elegantly dressed people, I frowned before looking out the window. As far as the eye could see, I saw an impossibly long train racing through the wind.

Turning around, I saw father appear next to me, patting my head roughly, "Don't just run off like that, Arsène."

Hearing him scold me, I merely laughed before a large oversize man dressed in a black suit appeared before father. Giving a light, graceful bow, he eyed Val, "Greeting Duke Val, it's a pleasure for you to grace us with your presence."

Father's eyes twitched a little before he stared down at me, "Dra, let me introduce my second born; this is Arsène Snow. He just made one a few months ago."

As if only noticing my presence, Dra smiled kindly, giving a slight bow, "Young Master, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

There was something off about this man; he reeked of something I was all too familiar with—the scent of death. For a man of his grace and stature, it's considerably unusual. I may need to watch out for him, or I might have to have him for dinner one day.

Smiling brilliantly, I raised my head high, giving a semi bow before Dra, "It is quite an honor as well, Sir Dra. Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier; I was quite overwhelmed by the sight of the magnificent train."

Both father and Dra gasped at my way of speak causing me to giggled inwardly. Fool, did you think the Great Arsène did not have some class. Kneel at my greatness.

Arching his brow, father nodded, "Forgive my son Marquess Dra; he is quite new to the scene."

"it's quite alright, Duke Val, but for someone of his age to be so well-spoken, it would seem that the Snow family has acquired another prodigy."

Shaking his head, Father merely smiled, "it's far too early to determine that, but do tell me, Marquess, what did you wish to speak to me about."

Walking behind father, an uncomfortable sensation filled my chest as Dra's eyes slowly turned icy, "Have you heard about the attack on the first prince." he voiced in a hushed tone.

Pausing, Father's aura slowly began to shift from his usual easygoing presence to a powerful lord disposition. Nothing about him seemed to remind me of my father aside from his looks.

"I had not heard, what state is the first prince in," He ordered coldly, his lordly aura stopping all conversation aboard the train.

"It's not looking good, but many believe it was the work of the imperial concubine, her child is around your second-born age, but he is not entitled to the throne."

Duke Val patiently stared at Dra with a pondering expression, "Has the Order of Shadows begun to move." he cautiously questioned, awaiting a response.

Shivering, Dra shook his head, "No, my Lord, it was not necessary; when the queen stared at her son, she flew into a rage slaughtering the imperial concubine's entire family. It took the combined forces of the king and his consul to quell her anger...but she had already slaughtered thousands."

Sweat flowed from my back as I heard about how an entire family was wiped off the map due to an assassination plot. Fathers seemed to smile lightly, but the smile never reached his eyes.

"Thanks for the update Dra, we will speak more about this in a more private location. Here is not the place." Father stated as he gazed indifferently at the people staring at us in fear.

My mind slowly began to shift as I felt a cold numbing sensation flow into my mind. Suddenly everything became indifferent as I looked at Dra bow elegantly before taking his leave.

Father eyed me for a few seconds taking out a small container from his pocket, "Arsène, take one of these every 12 hours."

Raising my brow, I wanted to ask why but a cold realization accorded to me as I thought about what just happened. Taking the container from my father, I slowly took out a small red pill before swallowing it.

The cold sensation clouding my mind vanished very Swiftly, leaving me bewildered at what was happening within me.

"We will speak about it at the family house; just wait till then, son," Father softly said, rustling my ashen hair.