Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Soaring towards the Stronghold of the Holy Swords in the northern district of this city, I could not help but frown at the faint touch of darkness touching upon the land. It was subtle, nearly invisible to my Divine sense, but there was a stinging sensation against my flesh. A foreboding quiver ran over my heart as I hovered above the Branch Sect.

Creasing my brow, I could not help but think back to Aiza\'s state, beaten till her eyes popped from her socket. She was all but played around with by Gaius, as we were made to watch. Try as we could. Nothing seemed to touch Gaius Winterblack. It was not the power he held that terrified us. His cultivation was around our own, but we were nothing but lambs to the prey, trying to touch upon his elusive shadow.

We were toyed and humiliated beyond measure by that monster. It was then I understood why Talos was so insistent on not crossing Arsene. It\'s not that he is powerful or smart. That was a given. It\'s the people he has around him. Everywhere he goes, it\'s almost like there is a force both helping him and hurting him into growing stronger.

We had all seen it in geniuses. The heavens would aid them in the most unexpected of ways. Arsene\'s situation, at least to me, reminds me of those heavenly geniuses, except the Heavens hate him. I don\'t know why but Arsene is without a doubt being aided by some strange force. He just has to be! He knows too many strong people who are willing to follow him. Asmodeus, Baphomet, Adrienne, Leviathan, Tenebrae, even the Hells seem to be at his disposal.

"Lunar Dance," I muttered grimly beneath my breath. Releasing an endless wave of moonlight that caressed my feet, I whisked through the Holy Sword with none the wiser. Searching every nook and cranny of this branch sect, it did not take more than a second for me to lay eyes upon Arsene Snow and his two Daughters: Arkanos Snow and Ty Snow.

Resting in the lotus position, unaware of my presence, I turned towards the two dragons imitating their father, unable to help myself from smiling. From the reports I read from Cleo and Yu Jing, these two were the only thing Arsene treated with decency. Then again, I just got a report of Arsene telling his two daughters to give everyone the finger.

"Hey," I lightly called, landing in front of him in this simple stone room.

Fluttering his brow, Arsene slowly opened his eyes; a bit confused, he frowned and scanned his eyes over me. "My daughter is past the breastfeeding stage." he swiftly pointed out, tilting his head. "Although I don\'t mind helping myself. I am a growing boy."

Finding my cheek burning on their own, I covered up my chest and glared at this fool," keep this up, and I\'ll let your wife out of prison."

Straightening up instantly, Arsene appeared no different from a disobedient puppy. Resisting the urge to pat his head, I crossed my arms, making sure to hide the girls. They were for Tal only.

"I am here to ask you to forgive Kurt."

"What has he done now?" he softly asked, almost like he had already figured something would happen. "Wait, let me guess. He asked the sect master of this branch family to hold me here?"

"He placed a hit on you and Lilith\'s head." I slightly mentioned lowering my head. Raising my head after an eerie moment of silence, just to peek, I could not be shocked by the smile over Arsene\'s lips.

"Holy Shit! Did Kurt\'s balls finally drop?" Said Arsene holding onto his chin in a pondering manner. "Finally, he did something, right. And here I thought he would be a pussy and hold it in."

"Your? Your not mad?" I questioned, unable to believe my eyes and ears.

"Do you know how many people are trying to kill me? I\'m more impressed that it was Kurt who was the first. My money was on Yu Jing, then Cleo, and finally Sig. Kurt wasn\'t even in the running. So that little bastard has finally become a man? Thank goodness, now all that is left is for him to get his dick wet?" He nodded, skimming his eyes over me once more. \'You got milk?"

"You\'re a pervert!" I cried

"And you have the biggest set I have ever seen. How do you stand straight?" he questioned.

Resisting the urge to bash his head in. My lips pursed, "So you forgive him?"

"Hell no. That bastard is trying to kill me. However, he has earned some cookie points." He informed, nodding his head. "But nothing has happened. But I am always interested in making a deal."

"No." I coldly said, shaking my head, "Never. You already bullied Aiza."

"The bitch was plotting against me. Although I still don\'t have proof she was. Call it instinct. Plus, how else were the angels supposed to know we were not allies if I didn\'t give a sacrificial lamb." Arsene reminded and glanced at the two that appeared to be sleeping instead of cultivating. "I am in need of treasure. Something that can allow me to bend time."

"You think everyone is like Lilith, or should I call her Yura? Who can bend time at will? Time treasures are so rare and hard to manufacture most don\'t even bother. That also includes us." I lightly claimed, touched with a bit of annoyance as I too needed a time manipulation artifact. The Last Artifact I was able to find was that cursed whip, located in a tattered world, surrounded by a hellish emerald flame. Engraved over its snow-white handle held the inscription that read Iliah.

"Fine, guess I could just ask Lilith to make me one. We need to start putting her infinite understanding of Dao to good use. Then hand me blood.. Los of rare bloodlines and a set of items to be used as components. "