Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

The was a stagger from Thant as he pushed forward, turning his front to me with a look that screamed horror. I could still feel his palpitating heart through the earth beneath my feet as he fell to his knees.

Slowly but surely, a line red with his blood appeared around his waist as the silent crowd all gasped, watching the former champion fall in half, spilling his guts over the arena.

I took two steps up, slashed my sword over his neck, then through his head, and lifted my gaze to everyone looking at me with confusion.

“Is that it?” I uttered as I thought of my Tarnishing and Intent alongside the seven sins.

This heightened state of mind had given me a refreshing perspective, with a bit of the old. I could perceive things no one else could with little information. But even so, I felt hungry. My throat was burning, as was my heart. It wasn’t painful, But I could feel something in me growing.

“V-V-V-VICTORY!!!” The Announcer stammered and roared in my favor as the crowd joined in. “I LIKE LITTLE BOYS HAS DONE IT!!!!”

My brow twitch. I hate that name! Screw you, Loki.

“Three more victories within the arena and Thant record will be blown away,” He added, ” Give it up for I Like Little BOYS!!!!!!!!”

Don’t cheer for that! If some random person said this shit on the street without context, he’s screwed. How the hell do I clear my name?

Flicking the blood off my blade, I sucked in a new breath and closed my eyes, pushing out the words of everyone as I focused on the Concept of Intent that related to everything. Whether it was walking, thinking, or doing nothing, I needed an intent to apply anything within me. It was a fundamental fact.

Humans, demons, devils. It doesn’t matter who or what they are; if they do not have Intent, then they cannot exist. And it’s the same for me.

My adaptation, my Tarnishing, everything in me, both applied or passive, both unknown or known, is used by Intent. If I could grasp the Primordial Power of Intent, I would never have to wait for changes; I could instantly adapt to whatever affected me.

I see why Zariel sealed the Astral Sea; its power is far too great.

Coming back to myself, I studied the new gladiator staring at me with a distant look and a spear in his hand.

Noting the elven features mixed with a lion-type beastkin, the chilling air of this day slipped over my skin as I gathered my Intent.

The blade in my hand began to hum, buzzing with a ringing noise that grew louder and louder with each passing second. By the time seven seconds had passed, the ordinary blade was screaming, bellowing so loud that a barrier appeared to guard the people in the stadium.

Tightening my grip around the blade that held my very soul in it, I kept pushing, watching as the man before stood still in horror, as I arched my sword towards the Heavens, spitting the clouds, revealing the faded moon, blinded by the light.

“Good,” Mephisto uttered within my soul, “Damage or not, your soul is always at its peak; now, you must reach deeper; this is only the tip of what Intent can do. Reach in deeper, to the deepest corner of your soul. When Zariel fought, Concepts all fell to their knees around him; when he swung his sword, hundreds would be born under his blade; he was so masterful in the concept of Intent. Even I pale in comparison to him.”

My heart was hammering as my senses all began to grow clearer. The winds were growing so crisp I could feel them breaking down around my sword; the earth beneath my bare feet was splintering as if a mighty weight was upon them. The Heavens were in disarray as my blade had already begun to cut them apart, while the Hells began to bellow within my heart.

“Severing Chains,” I uttered, whipping my blade towards my opponent.

Channeling only a bit of power through the various attunements I held, what should have been an attack that would kill a mortal, but bearly harm a low god turned into something capable of smiting God and Devils alike.

BOOOOOOOOOOOM~

Erupting like an exploding neutron star, my Intent that did not come from my sword but rather the soul devoured the light bringing about absolute Darkness that took me by surprise. Sound, Temperature, vibrations, and the rest of my senses all seemed to vanish as I appeared in the Darkness for a second before light pierced through.

The gladiator I was facing seemed to vanish, leaving nothing behind, not even his weapon. The arena around me had been destroyed, devoured by my Intent leaving only an endless abyss of the night around me where I stood.

“Dear God!” Someone said

Knowing there would be no more battles today, I channeled a bit of Intent over my legs and glided towards my gate, which slowly opened for me. Ignoring how people looked at me, I noted the absent Loki and walked back to my cell to meditate.

Something had changed. 𝙚𝙙𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙚𝙡.𝙤𝙧𝒈

This particularly heightened state of mind is allowing the abyss’s Intent to work alongside me for some reason. My control of Intent had been mediocre at best a few years ago, but now it seems like I’m a master of sorts.

I need to listen to my Intent.

There were so many mysteries regarding my own body, mainly my adaptation, that I can’t truly control. But now I think I could; I think I can understand everything my body does for me to live and what it’s doing now because the only thing I can think of is that my soul is evolving.

Ezra slapping me could have been a coincidence, but Soul Evolution is the only thing I can think of right now. With all the Tarnishing and Sins rising in power each day, I shouldn’t be surprised, but I needed confirmation. And I needed to be in control; I don’t need my body choosing what I need and don’t need; I want to be the one who controls my adaptation.

“Astral Force and Intent are closely aligned, my apprentice. Dive deep and use Astral Force to peer into Intent. Once you’ve mastered your body, that is where the real fun begins. Paragon is only the beginning. Your Brother Created a Path that even we cannot see the end. I wonder what you will create? The House of Snow is so interesting.”