Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Cleo?" Master calmly called. "Has something happened?"

Hesitating for a moment, I nodded, "It\'s Arsene. Something is going on, and I do not feel safe. At least not without Yura by his side."

Master Talos\'s lips curled down. "What is your soul telling you?"

"It\'s saying to keep a distance. He confuses me, Master. At times he is charming, funny, childish, witty, but then there are times when all I see is a monster."

"Arsene is a special kind of Devil if one can still call him that." Master Talos calmly explained, shaking his head with a bit of melancholy. "Has anyone figured out your abilities?"

"Not even you have figured it out, Master; how could they, but Arsene did glean something about me when we first met," I said, a bit annoyed at myself.

"That is true, but do not discredit Yura and Arsene. Those two are quite the match. They make each other both better and worse, if that\'s even possible. Keep your distance, Cleo. I wish to take you out, but I also feel like this is your chance."

"My Chance?" I replied, somewhat curious at Master\'s words.

"Whatever you do, never listen to Arsene, but study his actions. A devil\'s words are all lies, even if they are true, but their actions will tell you a different tale."

"Unless it\'s a lie," I added, quite sure Arsene was plotting against the world as we speak.

I hate to say this, but I am terrified of that monster. Especially today, no one else seemed to sense that domain of divinity as I did. Arsene can come and go as he please, trick Gods as a mortal. It\'s hard even to believe he is in the same generation like us.

"Cleo, listen well. Keep your distance. Those instincts you feel are your lifeline. The game the founders are playing, I am not. You are my concern, not them, ok?"

Widening my eyes, my heart could only warm at Master\'s words. He was always cold, but there was one fact I could trust. Master Talos would never hurt or betray me.

"He is acting differently. It\'s strange. It\'s almost like he is a different person." I hesitantly employed, "He feels different."

Master narrowed his cold eyes and frowned, "It could be due to the Sins. But that would not change the man, but instead, leave him without control. Tell me what you think?"

I smiled, "You trust my judgment like so?"

"Cleo, if it was between all the founder\'s instincts versus yours, then I pick you. Your race is unseen by all. You can see and comprehend things even I cannot believe." He claimed, finding a slight smile upon his lips.

Covering my mouth, I giggled, "Is Master getting soft? Hehe."

Rolling his eyes, he waved me off, "your thoughts."

"I think we need distance, it may be out of hand, but I think we should stay at Lady Aiza\'s estate. At this moment, Arsene is a wild card."

"And I would say, you should just find a hotel. Use my card. I am having a meeting with Aiza in a few hours." He said with a deadly glint.

"Then I will see you later today. May your inquires prove successful." I said, bowing my head, as Master hung up.

Hanging my head low for a few minutes before I heard the door open and close from downstairs. I watched Arsene walk away with a dark smile, glancing out the window.

"I need to leave now. I will send a message that I am staying at Aiza, but in truth, I will stay at some random hotel. We have been burned too many times by Arsene. I should have trusted my instincts the first time I saw him."

Some call it fear, but that day at Paradise, when Sig introduced us, my heart trembled in dread. Kurt had sensed it as well, that is why there is a bit of tension between him and Arsene, but I dared not show my concerns.

Master had told me long ago that pride leads cultivators to die. My ego is not big enough to say that I am at the top of my generation. I am sure others are stronger, and Arsene is one of them. His stunt with Master Talos and the other founders proved it.

For the past few years, I have been reporting to master about Arsene while leading on Kurts to have more transgression with that devil. I wanted to see his response.

I had a bit of fate; Arsene would not outright destroy him or me. It was a risk, I played, but I learned more about him. The only problem I have is Yura, aka Lilith. I cannot read her.

My innate ability to read people draws a blank when it comes to her. Even her actions are masked in mystery; it\'s almost like she wishes to kill Arsene, but he does nothing but enjoy her torment. Those two are weird.

Witnessing Arsene leave, I stepped out of the door, heading down the banister towards the foyer and onto the kitchen where the little dragon girl was preparing breakfast with Yu Jing and Sig.

"Is Kurt not here?" I asked, glancing around with a frown.

"Can\'t say I have seen him this morning; you know he is an early bloomer. He loves the mornings." Sig bitterly said, plating pancakes for Arkanos. "That guy needs to get laid."

Eyeing the three of them, I hesitated but shook my head in the end. Yu Jing would not leave Arkanos and Sig. Well, he has been bonding with Einar and Eroma as of late. It seems like everyone is getting lost in Arsene\'s circle.

I hate to say it, but Arsene played everyone. Everyone but me. I will not fall into Arsene\'s circle again, not after I was drugged then forced to get involved with a man like Lynx.

Lifting my lips, I shot Arkanos a smile, "I am going out for a bit. I\'ll be back, ok."

"You sure it is safe?" Sigfried suddenly said, eyeing me firmly.

"Kurt left, didn\'t he? I will be fine. I was given an assigned meant so I may be gone for a few days." I claimed, patting the little girl whose eyes began to build with tears.

Crushing my heart with her cuteness, I kissed her cheeks, "Don\'t cry. I will see you again. Aunty will always be by Arkanos\' side. I just have a few things to prepare before I return, is all."

"Promise?" Said Arkanos.

"Promise."