Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Standing at attention before the Brigadier General, Niall Roah, my eyes locked straight ahead as he paced back and forth, frowning deeply near the head of his terminal. He crossed his arms, then turned to me after a lapse of silence. My little brother grunted tirelessly, as he always had when stressed.

“Colonel Cesan, ” He formally called, “T-There appears to be a breach. Someone from the outside has successfully breached into Noctem. ”

Assuming he was joking, I chuckled, “Brother, if this is a joke, then there is no need to be so formal.”

Noctem was isolated from the Exalted Wheele for longer than anyone could remember. If not for an ancient text and hidden Blood Lords within Imperial Families, we would not have even known of the outside Planes.

Niall shook his head, “Colonel,” he once more addressed formerly and sternly, carrying a hint of warning in his tone. “I’m serious,” he responded. “I have already gathered a squad for you—one of the best.”

Handing me a Holocube, technology said to be created on Iluthath; he grimaced with dark smoldering eyes over his pale greyish-black skin. I stood shaken, if not overwhelmed.

“General, what is going on?” I cautiously asked. Glancing around, having only now noticed the lack of people in our midst. “This cannot be right! We—”

“This doesn’t come from me, but from the Banking Clan. Don your armor, and move out. Time is of the essence.” He forcefully instructed, leaving no room for discussion. Swiftly saluting, I left.

… .𝙘𝙤𝙢

…

…

Charging through the Corsem Forest, Twenty Warrant officers trailed after me as we weaved in a systematic way through trees and bushes. Flying was forbidden this close to the city of Corsem, even for us officers. Rank had meant nothing to the bankings Clan, who ran this city with an iron glove.

Holding out the Holocube, a hologram slowly projected off its surface, revealing the energy signature a few thousand kilometers away; I slowly came to a halt, sensing a ripple of Astral Energy.

“Warrant Officer, Gil, Send a report of a potential Elder God.” I coldly commanded as we zoomed over the horizon. Catching sight of two women and two men situated in the exact spot of the energy surge, a grave expression touched my heart as we approached.

I Instructed my men not to say a word with a soul whisper, and I alone stepped out of the formation. Ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

The Young Man, with long black and silver hair, seemed to be the leader. Despite his low power, he approached. Nevertheless, the one who caught my eye was the one with what appeared to be a halo blazing with radiance over her head.

“My name is Arsene Snow,” he calmly said. “The New King of Noctem, the next Monarch of Darkness,” blowing my mind with his theatrics, a force stirred in the night.

My heart shivered, and my legs bent. Struggling with my all to stand straight, a Regal Force blazed like a flame from his body, ” And you all will kneel.” He finally said.

As if the very Plane was against me, the blood running through my veins seemed to churn, a dark flame slowly blazed from the young man, and all of my warrant officers slowly fell to their knees—all but me.

Struggling with all I held dare, I growled as my very soul for saw images whipping back and forth. They twisted and then surged through my mind. Revealing scenes of blood and darkness tracing back to the Imperial City of Noct, an Astral Qi surged through my heart.

“No!” I cried as my own body did not seem to listen. “Y-You. Who are you?” I said, caving before his Regal aura. I fell to my knees.

Arsene smiled, a little pale. He narrowed his eyes, “Tenebrae has chosen me, and it will seem, my Rule is somewhat established. I wonder if Aldrich can do the same?” He released a deep breath, then spoke, “Remove your hood.”

Fear had finally surged into my heart, leaving me exposed, but I was a soldier first and foremost. Allowing my intent to stretch, I awoke the Holocube beneath my cloak and glared at Arsene. Lowering my hood, he showed an odd smile.

“Arsene,” the amethyst eye goddess said with a smile brighter than the brightest light, “What do you intend to do now? It’s not like they are Sired to you?”She said, revealing a beauty even I, as a Lur’vian, found irresistible.

“Each of the Prime Words has in their position an illusionary throne, of the one Asmdoeus holds. All I need to do is sit upon this throne, and the Seven Imperial Families will bend a knee, whether they like to or not,” he informed calmly, then bent down. Pushing his hands through my cloak, he grabbed the holocube; shaking my heart, he held the cube in his hand and smiled.

“How interesting. What is this?” He asked, fiddling with it for a few seconds. When the Amythest eye enchantress placed her hand over it, she frowned.

“It’s a communicator, a shop, a spiral ring, a ship, and many other things. This cube can do it all.” She relayed to my amazement, lifting her eyes to me. She smirked, “And it’s on, transmitting information back to their HQ.”

“Let my men go,” I said through clenched teeth. These people were monsters. Holocubes were not new, and many knew about them, but I had personally seen Civilization Confused over its mechanics. Simply based on their amazement and wonder, it was clear they did not know what this was, but here we are.

Arsene chuckled, “Lilith, you’re scaring him.” He said but still nodded. “The rest of you can leave. Tell the banking clan that I am heading to Corsem to take my throne. I would love to see it, seeing how the Corsem Empire was wiped away before the Era of Chaos.

“All of you! Leave!” I commanded without looking back.

“Colonel!” Warrant officer Gil called, hesitant, he opened his mouth, but Arsene was quick to cut him short.

“Go, less I change my mind. Killing my people is not within my interest, even if that person is a Lur’vian.” He said, and my heart fell.

“Go,” I commanded, and Warrant Officer Gill saluted alongside the others shooting off.

“Your race has truly come a long way.” He said, turning to the one I believe to be an angel, “You might not know this, but the Lur’vains were known for their brutality. Only used by organizations to kill and murder. If you need a killer, then there are few better races.”

“So they are demons?” The Angel grimaced.

“Far from it. The Lur’vain just didn’t know better, or for better words, they struggled with empathy towards other races. They were a tribal clan and based upon his long ear lobes filled with piercing, that tribe still lives on. Isn’t that right?”

“You seem to know a lot about us. Do Lur’vains exist in your realm?” I asked, knowing the holocube was still projecting. He shook his head, tossing the Holocube up and down like a toy.

“Nope, you are the first any of us have ever seen; with Noctem blocked off, we don’t even have Holocubes. What an exciting piece of technology. But shall we get back to the topic? Oh, forgive me, please, stand up. Not like you can defeat an elder god, right?