Monarch of Darkness, Arsene



Hurdling through space within one of the cruisers my kingdom had procured for me, I found myself locked in meditation regarding the Path of Archeon. There hadn't been a day I didn't find myself studying this path within the Realm of Spirits.

There was a certain aloofness I retained about this path. A certain regard that tempered the mind in a way that allowed peace to exist in the scattered chaos that was my mind. Unlike Paragon, that only seemed to heighten my skills to a new Extreme. Archeon pulled me back, allowing me to reconnect to the primordial force within myself.

I didn't understand the nature of this 'primordial force' similar to 'Breath.' But It was warm. And it made me truly understand how complex our bodies were. Every time I dive into the nature of myself, I always seem to find something new.

"Arsene?" Vita suddenly said, nudging my shoulder.

Wiping the blood from my nose due to the backlash of Realm of Spirits, I looked up at her with irritation. " What is it?"

"I've reservations about this plan." She told me.

"I'm sure you do," I remarked. " Just trust in the process. Or do you think my Pride will deter you from making a kill?" I teased. " Relax. This Plan will work. I've planned for everything. Even failure."

She grunted irritably, but I couldn't blame her. Recent years have shown a slight decrease in my scheming. It had been a while since I had to scheme against my enemies far more powerful than myself. And my new opponent was Enoch.

The man who betrayed his own father and Mephisto. He wasn't someone I could take lightly. I needed an ironclad plan. One built upon reality.

"I also agree with Lady Vita," Killian said. "This plan is, forgive my wording, but it's retarded to a fault."

My lip twitched. "Trust me… it'll work. Have faith in this King."

"Your entire game plan revolves around me killing Enoch." Vita grimly said. "Who is backed by Tamiel and possibly a rage-fueled Owl. Killian is not wrong to say it's retarded."

And I nodded with a half smile. " Look just—"

"ETA to the Libary of Silence: Ten minutes." A voice through the intercom rang, bringing a smile to my face. I stood up, stretching a few muscles as I gave Vita a thumbs up. Gadreel barked on top of the sofa as he rose on all fours, racing to my heel.

I eyed him, rustling his head: "Ready to have a good meal?" Malice flickered through his scarlet eyes, bringing a proud twinkle to my eye: "Good boy." And my gaze swept through the hull of the ship toward the majestic sight of a flat-shaped world.

As if I had stepped into a fantasy, I stared, enthralled by the aesthetic structure that spanned the entire world. It was, without a doubt, luxurious, having the feel one must look without touching. I smiled.

"Entering Atmosphere." The Captain of the Ship said as a tremor rippled off the metal hull. I instantly frowned as I felt unease crawl down my spine. As if being watched by an unknown number of entities, I glanced at everyone's uncomfortable expression, knowing they, too, had felt it.

Words were not said thereafter as the ship docked without sound. We debunked, finding every step we performed to be judged by a strange, unknown force.

"This is hella annoying," Vita said aloud, allowing her voice to storm like a violent gale. Her abyssal nature shone as she sneered. " I dare you to attack." She barked and continued on her way.

Jesus. No patience. Ha~ I pray for you, Ves. Not only were you kidnapped and married off. You got to deal with Vita. Good Luck. I don't want anything to do with that mess.

Shaking my head, slivers of darkness slipped into the crust of the planet as I moved forward. I wasn't sure what manner of creature was hidden within this planet, watching our movements, but no one present was worried about it.

"Oh?" Pausing, sensing a peculiar gaze, I chuckled and turned to the smiling expression of the Fallen hovering above me.

"Disciple, you came," Mephisto said with an ashen complexion. He chuckled and hopped down from the skies to my side, hanging his arm around my shoulder. "Well, if you would look at this. Master and Disciple reunited." He grinned my way. "You after Enoch as well?"

"He did try to kill me."

"More kidnap you, but I get it." He said, shooting a wink to Vita, who snorted. "Feisty, isn't she? I've got a question, though…" He leaned close to my ear. " Are you tapping Vita too?"

An amethyst sword light flashed past my perception, barely missing Mephisto as he chuckled, waving his hand in defeat. " I jest! I was just wondering cause you two look so close. Coming all the way here to kill Enoch. Thats… That's amazing!" The jest chuckled wryly. " Shall we team up?"

"With you?" I mused, narrowing my eyes. " But you don't even know my plan."

Mephisto's scarlet eyes shone a profound malice as he smiled. "Disciple. You've got a lot to learn when it comes to me." And he turned to Vita. " And you should be kinder to these cute creatures. They are simple things." He said, tracing his finger over the air as if stroking an invisible creature.

For him to appear… this trap really is for Mephisto. That being said, I wonder what Enoch has in store for Mephisto.

"But what are you doing here, Disciple? You are far too weak for an event like this." The trickster conveyed through narrowed eyes that slid to Gadreel by my side. " Even with the mutt. You seem to like tempting faith."

"Mephisto… would you like to see something spectacular?" I asked, stepping through the streets towards the heart of the Libary.

"Spectacular, huh? You Snow's always tend to entertain. But Arsene…" He paused, allowing a bloodlust I never knew he had to ripple over the surface of the planet. As drowning as it was hellish, Mephisto spoke as he stepped past me. " I won't be protecting you today. So you better hope you've come prepared."