Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Arsene," I gently called, hearing the laughter that echoed through the souls of many halt. Gazing at the mountain of bodies lettered about. There he laid, showered in gore and alone. He did not speak or move, and I didn\'t dare approach. Father had warned me not to. That only a devil had remained within his heart.

"Elsa," He called out, speaking in the common tongue after so long.

Materializing out of thin air, my gaze fell upon the commander of Arsene\'s army during this time of blood. She was scared, trembling, but she drew closer.

"Send word to have my army continue, and let the gods begin the slaughter; it\'s time to progress." Said Arsene rising to his two feet. His eyes and pores leaking even more black blood than ever before.

"And what of our master?" Elsa trembled to ask, but there was a heavy determination I had never seen battling against her fear, "When will you take her back?"

Rising off the mountain of bodes, Arsene did not show any expression. Walking past her, "Melinoe, is the God-Titan of time with us?"

"Yes, but Nyx said so too will be Adinnine," I said, feeling Arsene was different. He did not feel cold, evil, or monstrous like before. There was no sadness, hate, or anything I could make out.

"Is there news from you know who? I am sure he is wise enough to not appear here." He questioned as I watched the black blood begin to stop, or at least it did form everywhere else but his eyes.

"Nothing," I whispered, knowing he was speaking about Tang Feng. "But you will be happy to know the valkyries divinity has been drained. We are waiting for them to replenish it, but in the meantime, we have left them be."

Waving his hands, the bloody image of Arsene faded, revealing something that appeared to be from the dead. His flesh was so pale; all I could think of was death.

Changing into his traditional black suit, Arsene vanished into the underworld via the shadow realm. Quickly following after him, we stopped into the throne room of my father.

"Hades, "Arsene said, ignoring the shades around him.

Father scrunched his brow, about to speak when Thanatos stepped out, "Arsene, we are in the middle of Court. You cannot just show up like this." He said in a tone that was unlike his usual condescending self. It was kind, sincere even for the first time in a while.

"It\'s fine; let us continue a little later," Father commanded, resting his crimson eyes upon Arsene.

Bowing towards father, Thanatos turned to Arsene, "I trained you, but you are not ready. Not yet; your battle skills are only around a mortal level. Come find me when you are ready. We are waiting."

"Than I will thank you now," said Arsene.

Hesitant, Thanatos left, sending me a glance; he muttered for only I to hear, "You come to, its time we resume your training. We cannot watch over you out there, but it\'s time."

"What is it you want?" Father said, sending a glance towards Thanatos, who withdrew. "It would seem you have calmed."

"I have," Arsene said without emotion, "I am here for the titans."

"It is not I; you must speak with than. There are rules that even I must follow. Our legacies dictate many of our actions. Why do you think aside from hermies and Pherstephanie, none is allowed to come and go freely. Their exceptions, but you must understand I am truly bound."

"Than I will offer you true freedom, not as one of my demons or devils. But as your own bloodline," Arsene aloofly said, sending father into a state of shock. "You will have your own will, unlike those I turned, you will in the sense of the word be free."

"You do not have that power!" Father fired back.

"But what if I did?" Arsene amusingly asked, yet there was no smile upon his face, "What if I can offer you a bloodline from Noctem?"

"So you speak about the future?"

"Why not?" said Arsene, "That is how people are elected and how we form deals."

"And what of Nyx and those around me?"

"Same deal, they become like you. However, I cannot promise them an original bloodline; only you and Nyx shall be the progenitors."

"I Cannot," Father adamantly declared, leaving no room for negotiations.

\'We accept!" Nyx vibrantly said, strangely smiling at father as she appeared like a ghost. "I am sure you understand, right?"

"I have spoken now. Leave NOW!" Father coldly said, his body beginning to bleed a monstrous divinity.

Nodding in understanding, he turned to me, "let us go; I have gotten the answer I needed." Arsene said, vanishing from my sight. Feeling lost, I followed behind him.

"What just happened?"

"Hades accepted my deal," Arsene coldly said, gazing upon his throne.

Clearly remembering father said no, I frowned about to speak when Arsene continued, "Hades is bound to say no; he is after all bound to remain. Nyx, however, is different. She has a lot more freedom than most."

Freedom... But I do not want freedom? I like the madness; it\'s a part of who I am. Why should I have to change?

"You are free to remain what you are," He said, sending a chill down my spine. How did he know I was worried about that? "But just remember this, the madness will never vanish even if you are free. Your Dao and actions till now will not vanish; you will just have more freedom in your actions. Hades has time, but for now, think about it. I am sure your father is doing the same."

"And if I want to remain a God?" I inquired. I\'d never once thought of being different, and honestly, I did not like the thought.

"Nyx is the night, so being closer to the Darkness is a part of her legacy, so it\'s an easy decision, but you are different. But if you want, I am sure you can become the next Hades; there is no law stating hades cannot be a mad king."

Scrunching my brow at his quick response, I felt dread towards Arsene. Had he thought of every possibility?

"How can you even leave father\'s domain? I find it strange? Tang Feng is different because of his power, and Father cannot do anything, but you are different. How can you leave?"

Turning to me, Arsene narrowed his eyes, "Now that is the question, isn\'t it? Why not figure it out yourself. Maybe it\'s the same reason your father didn\'t our right kill me the moment I announced my deal."

"Fear?" I said, highly doubtful.

Watching the amusement grow within his bleeding eyes, Arsene took to his throne, taking a seat, a scarlet ornament appeared upon his shoulder similar to a cloak, holding a sigil I had not seen before.

It was of a sun, or maybe a star, but it was dark black in color and bleeding a crimson light. Pressing his palm upon his cheek, Arsene eyed me.

"Leave, and return when you figure it out."