Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Tears bubbled in Zena’s golden eyes as a discharge of Seraphic qi fluttered about, bringing an odd sense of heartbreak to my soul. She spoke. “Your cruel, Arsene.”

“Oh, I know. But I do like you.” I softly said, patting her head, somewhat regretful. she looked at me and then Lilith and finally took my wife’s hand.

Lilith turned to me, narrowing her brow. ” Who told you that I was going to the origin realm?”

“Zariel,” I answered, looking down at the little buns, releasing an azure glow the very instant their intent touched mine. “Just saying I think the babies are gonna like me best.”

“Horse shit! They’ll love me more! I make food out of my body for them.” She replied with fire in her eyes.

“Challenge accepted!” I declared, crackling in laughter. “But you better bring me back some grade A food. Have Zariel cook me something. That bastard is the one who taught me how to cook.”

“Really?”

I nodded when it suddenly hit me. More of my memories are returning. The Path of Abyssal Night is truly bending reality, isn’t it?

“Get out of here. We’ll talk later.” I said with a warm smile melting my heart, ” Have a good vacation.”

She nodded, ” You are now the leader of the Abyss. Treat my people right. The thirteen will heed your command like they are my own. You better not abuse that power.” She warned, vanishing alongside Zena, shocking me to my core.

“Did she,” Valice started shuttering as I nodded, ” Did she just—

“Yep, she gave me control of the Abyss. Holy shit.” I finished, smiling from ear to ear. “God, I love that woman. Let’s go. I’m sure you’ve got a lot to say to your husband. Oh, before that.”

Reaching down towards my shadow, I pulled it out from my body below, watching as it took the form of my physical appearance.

“Get set up,” I commanded, and my shadow, Shadow-Stepped.

Valice looked at me and frowned, but before she could say anything, I explained, “It’s to kill the second consort. I still got a deadline, don’t you forget.”

“But why? Your identity makes it all the more—”

“The information I have makes it all the better. Not to mention don’t you want to kill the Ilthad, Yornen?” I asked, watching her expression shrink.

“Indeed.”

“Then lead the way.”

Following behind Valice, who seemed all more welcoming when I spoke of Yornen, I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes.

“Gauis Winterblack. I know you said he betrayed the son of your greatest warrior. Do you know any other name?”

“The only other Records we share is Silver Devil—”

I stopped. “Your kidding, right?”

“Why would we—” She stopped and turned to look at me, pausing mid-sentence. ” What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you know?” I uttered with widened eyes. ” Dear god, it makes so much sense now—that’s why you know the name Blackwater and Gauis. Never would I have thought. Let me guess; you hate House Lazarus.

She nodded with a mystified expression. “How’d you—”

“Hot damn, I’m good. Your not an original member of the Black family, right?” I asked, and Valice shook her head no.

“We are Mortal enemies upon finding out they were responsible for—”

“Yuki’s death?”

“H-h-how did you—”

“Take me to the King, my cousin. Or whatever. ” I shouted, turning Valices eyes as wide as a saucer. “I’m Arsene Snow. Yuki Snow, aka Yuki Black, was my mama bird. I think my original name was Lucarious del Lazarus. Guess I’m your Ancestor. Ancestor Arsene. That has a nice ring to it. Call me that from now on.”

“W-w-what?”

“You mean what, Mr. Ancestor, right?” I teasingly corrected.

“No way in hell. ”

“Oh, come on. It’s not so bad.” I said, a little jittery. Who knew I still had a family? .𝘯𝘵

“Just keep following me,” She said, a little annoyed and yet shaken to her core as I could feel her intent jumping around like bunnies.

Following Valice, I slowly began to frown again as I felt an odd presence with a familiar intent. Near the far west, I pushed out my senses; through the marble walls filled with luxurious ornaments, I was suddenly repelled, startling me as I felt a powerful astral barrier hindering my advancement.

My eyes narrowed, knowing who this intent belonged—the ilthad.

So this is where he is held up—quite a brilliant place to hide. I’d love to have a drink with him one day before tearing this throat out.

Coming to a stop after a while, Valice knocked and pushed open the door, following the sound of a grunt.

Stepping in to see a beautiful woman standing near the King of Aether, holding the hands of the little brat who showed up at the estate a few days ago, I smiled.

“So the rumors were true.” The Second Consort uttered grimly.

“Leave. We’ve business to discuss.” Valice snapped, turning to her husband with a grimace, which surprised the young man. “This is serious, and children are—”

“He is to be the future of this kingdom, valice. I—”

I didn’t even see when it happened, but following the echo of a slap, space shattered, and the Second Consort was gone. Shocking everyone in the room, Valice turned to the little brat, “Go find your mother and get a medical team. She’ll die in ten minutes.”

My jaw dropped. “And they say I’m cruel.”

“MOOOOOOOOOM!!!!” Cried the little brat rushing off without looking back.

“Valice, in all my days. That might have been the cruelest thing you’ve done.’ Orthis uttered in his regal tone, rising from his office chair, “That boy is still my son.”

“If you really cared, you would have stopped me. You have the power to.” Said Valice, but Orthis shook his head.

“We’ll talk about this later.” Aether’s King solemnly remarked, sliding his eyes to me. ” And you must be Mr. Blackwater. We finally—”

“His true name is Arsene Snow, aka Lucarious del Lazarus.” Said the queen, turning to me as though I was supposed to explain.

“Don’t mind me. Keep going. Don’t forget Zena or the Ilthad I just sensed. Oh wait, I didn’t tell you about that. My bad.”