Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Dawn, the following day, beads of sweat trickled down my clothing dampening my robes, following the intense wave of heat that flashed over my skin. My mind had changed so much after the coronation of my rise to the king, but my physical form had staggered behind within the Palace of Night.

It was hell being this weak, but I must say! I am looking forward to seeing what this adaptation brings: It’s not every day one adapts to being a Monarch of an element. I don’t even know what that entails. In the Palace, all there was, was darkness. Pure and utter darkness. At the same time, I was bored as hell. Zax and Abyss- Chan was there to keep me company, as was the endless mountain of books and the soul crystals that held instructions on how to master the various Concepts.

Even now, I don’t think I’ve mastered even one. Supremacy was my favorite, hands down, though. It was simple and elegant beyond reason. Perfection without any doubt.

“You’ve got a fever,” Victoria mentioned having arrived beside me without my knowing. “Never seen an Empyrean God with a fever.”

Grunting in response, as my body protruded a disgusting amount of sweat to soak my robes, a sudden daze struck me, sending my mind and soul into a spiraling frenzy. Rocking back and forth as though I were on a boat, nausea trickled up my throat, filling my mouth with something acidic.

“We’re going to have to delay.” Said Victoria gravely. ” you’re too weak to rescue—”

“It’ll just be like fighting drunk is all,” I found myself saying, somewhat drunkenly. “Do you know how to drive an Echo-X?”

“A what? Arsene moving is out of the question. You’re going to—Fuck.”

Barfing all over Victoria’s chest, I smiled as everything tried to go black.

Biting down on my tongue to push away the darkness, I grunted. “Let’s go rescue Ezra.”

“You know what! Fine! But I’m not helping till you get your ass handed to you.” Said Victoria, loudly stomping away.

Snickering, I scrambled to my feet when a loud, bellowing noise suddenly came. “Show yourself, vermin!”

“Who?” I said, grunting annoyingly. I staggered out, with a scowl over my face, to an older gentleman who was almost Elgen’s mere image. His father or grandfather by chance?

“The hell you want?” I said, bending over before barfing over the grass. ” Good God, kill me. I feel like shit.”

“And yet you want to invade enemy territory!” Said Victoria flickering to my side.

“I’m a badass; I can cope. I think.”

“Enough of your drivel! Who was the fucker who attacked my son!”

“Victoria… I want soup. Chicken Noodle.”

“What? I’m not your mother, you know.”

“But Lilith isn’t here to help, and I’m hungry. Really, hungry.”

With a furious look that could kill, Victoria snorted. “Fine, but you owe me! You already barfed over me.”

Barely finding a smile, divinity suddenly spilled over the surface of the manner, drawing our attention to the Peak Empyrean God.

“I will not be ignored, boy.” He adamantly said, narrowing his eyes. “You attacked my son and think the Sect of the White Rose will not act?”

Staggering forward, my lips curled downwards as my head grew tilted. ” you. Mortal. Do you think it’s wise to approach me?” I asked and raised my head towards the elder god in the skies, hovering, trying to mask his aura but missing his intent. “Do not cross me. I’ve killed many on your level before. Now then, Victoria.”

Intent flickered, and with a side step, everything instantly grew clear. Clearer than ever, a sudden pulse from the Throne of Darkness rattled through me, awakening something in me. My eyes slid to the fool whose fist tried to enter my head.

Time trembled over the Eben Forest, waning as crackles of lighting suddenly began to crackle over my fist through the sheer force that had started to gather.

Birds and beasts of all kinds took to the skies while the sun began to dim, as a ruthless killing intent traced over my fist before sliding through the face of my attacker, tearing his head from his body as the concept of supremacy cloaked my palm.

BANG!!!! .

Blood five meters long whipped over the ground painting the earth red, as the body of the fool fell to his knees dead.

I looked at the Elder God with a sliver of ice in my heart. ” I will be coming to the Sect of the White Rose for an explanation. And I expect one. Now then! Off we go, Victoria!”

“What about the soup?”

‘Damn. Ummm fuck, no, Ezra is more important. Let’s head there first.” I said, unable to believe such words came from my mouth. Food was more important than everyone. By the Nines! I truly am a nice person!”

Lifting me over her shoulders as everything began to grow blurry the moment the Elder God vanished, I sighed in some relief. I don’t think I have it in me to fight an elder god as weak as I am. It’s doable, but I’ll end up in a coma.

Dazed and weak at the same time, something trickled from my nose as I closed my eyes, allowing the world to be cut to black.

…

…

…

By the time I opened my eyes, the glint of the five moons had shone over me. I had snapped awake, looking around, finding a campfire and a large brewing pot, with Victoria tossing in some veggies.

“You know how to cook?”

“Of course, I know how to cook. I’ve lived on my own for many years.” Came her reply as a matter of fact, ” Although, from what I hear, it doesn’t come close to your cooking.”

‘Chicken Noodle?”

“No time to make noodles, so I made a beef broth with various vegetables I found on my way here.” She said, drawing my attention towards the large estate in the distance. “Let’s eat and go rescue Ezra. I’ve already found her location. She’s badly beaten, it seems.”

“Formations?”

“Some but not enough to stop you from Shadow Stepping inside. However, there is a nasty one on Ezra.” She claimed, handing me a bowl, which seemed to fill my heart with warmth for some reason.

Victoria held me in her sights. A bit of a smile on her face as she looked on with expectation. “It was my adopted mother’s recipe. When the king had taken in a few orphans to train, Yenna was there to raise and train us.”

“So you never knew your real parents.”

“Not really. ” Victoria answered, her gaze trailing down the cauldron of soup. “I told you before we were to be trained as killers.” I nodded, recalling such a tale. ” Well, it was Yenna who stopped me from becoming like my brothers and sisters. I was the only one who seemed to be with a conscious.” She smiled, trailing a spoon through the bowl of broth, ” The king’s face was utterly furious once he learned of me, but the day he saw my results, my ruthlessness in the face of my enemy, he went silent.”

Lifting a spoonful of a golden brown liquid, I took a small sip, enjoying the savory haven this broth took me to. I shuttered, taking in another spoon, followed by another, and another enjoying the sensation of sweet home.

“Slow down, Arsene,” said Victoria smilingly, taking the bowl from me as she poured more in with a ladle. “I guess I passed.”

“I should have wifed you up when I had the chance. Not too late, I guess.”