Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 362: Let There Be Light

Glaring at my greatest enemy, which consumed the air, with its fragrance, I shot the old man a deep stare.

"It's not my fault, so stop glaring. You're a man, are you not? Cover your nose and swallow it whole."

"Don't know who came up with that but, that shit doesn't work. At least it never did for me," I muttered, swallowing down the fishly soup. Tearing up at the disgusting flavor, I quickly covered my mouth.

(A/N: All the Men in my family hate fish with a passion. Every last one of them, myself included.)

"To think the ashen king was such a crybaby!"

Ignoring the man courting death, I felt a powerful vital qi swimming within my meridian. It was warm, flowing endlessly around my body before entering my tender muscles without issue. Wishing to moan, I held it in, knowing that damn fragrance was still within my mouth.

Handing me another bowl, he smiled cheekily, enjoying the tears flowing, "If only the others could see this sight." He cheered.

Gritting my teeth, I took the bowl, as he continued, 'But mind telling me what happened? ALl your Qi was drained. Were it not me, I do not think you would be alive."

Swallowing another bowl down in haste, I used my demonic qi to quell the disgusting aroma within my throat before speaking, "It's nothing much, really. One of my innate powers just awakened. It basically allows me to communicate with the Heavenly Dao, to allow myself to see the name of everyone around me."

"Sounds stupid," He indifferently uttered, not putting much thought in.

"Depends on how you use it," I said, "If just for combat, then it's indeed useless. But Devils are not meant to battle. Demons are."

Pouring me another bowl, over and over, I finished over fifteen bowls before I felt full, to the surprise of Feilo. Slightly shocked, he stroked his beard, "Think you can last a month?"

"Month is all I need to recover, I believe, unless you have something stronger," I greedily asked.

"I am the leader of this little village, and I assure you we don't. But your coming with us, later to hunt. These fishes are a bitch to snatch.'

"Could it be due to your age?" I mocked, getting the finger straight to my face.

"I may be old, but who is the cripple." he fired back, holding his head high with pride.

Rolling my eyes, I soon began to frown, "You said night only appeared once I landed here, right? Is there any evidence to say otherwise?"

"When the Ashen Kings fall from the heavens, and something strange happens do we need proof?" he arrogantly stated, lifting the empty pot away, "Go get rested and cultivate to regain your memories. The Priest said the longer you wait the longer it will take."

Withdrawing from out of his hut, I remained still. I had remembered some things, but everything was fragmented. Lilith, I could remember almost perfectly, except for something within the shadow realm... Wait! The weapon! My spear!

"If Hephaestus is dead... does that mean he failed? No, if that was the case, I would have definitely remembered that, like I did with Lilith. Her last words were telling me to be wary of her.

Shutting my eyes, I turned to my Mind Palace, which was no longer a palace but instead of a string of infinite knowledge broken up into two groups. Books, and me!

"What the hell! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Screaming in annoyance, I sighed, crashing down to the stone ground from the cutruion. Feeling its icy air permeate my fragile limbs, I could not help but enjoy this feeling.

Pondering for a moment, I stood back up, eyeing the fire still burning. Putting my hand close, I cried in relief before completely submerging my palms. Receiving no injury but rather a comfortable warmth, I knew my adaption was still in effect.

Rising to my feet, I stepped out to the world, lifting my head high towards the blackened, smoldering with darkness as if it were fog. It was calling to me, whispering my name.

"Let there be light," I uttered with absolute conviction as a single ray of light pierced through the veil at my command. Flashing its grace onto me, I felt its heat, its intensity; it was warm, attempting to pull me away.

Watching the dark vail begin to fade, a single mark appeared on my arm, searing its crest into me. It was of a spear, with a sharp demonic blade a the tip. However, unlike the usual arrowhead appearance of a spear, this one appeared different. More so like a jagged sword.

"Should I call upon, tribulation shall fall," I whispered to the mark, tracing its magnificent appearance along my arm. "And it shall fade, for only we are eternal... Yes... that was how he died. In the end... almost all died... Tang Feng lost his arm, Adrienne's chest exploded into a mist of gore, Heopheus was turned to ash and Aion enter body was dusted. The one who appeared fine was Baphomet. but his entire body was covered in blood."

Falling to my knees, the rays' of light swallowed me whole as I recollected bits and pieces, "No... something else happened. A shadow... an eternal darkness and a concept."

Bleeding from my nose, I shivered, coughing up a mouthful of blood. "Dear God, what the hell happened?" I weakly whispered, noticing my shadow had returned to my body.

Wiping my lips littered with blood, a cold whisper resounded within my ear, "Do not attempt it, just forget. Forget for now. The Witch, Tang Feng, and I all live. So forget, and move on till the day Noctems calls. So is the price for its acceptance."

"Will you appear?" I called as an agonizing silence blew through my hair.

"We shall, we shall," he said to my relief.

Taking the time, to recover I heeded Baphomet words. I had stumbled upon a secret... a secret within the temple. Yes... Stop! Not now... I cannot remember when I'm this weak. I need to focus on Lilith. The weapon has been forged, and Baphomet, for all his injuries, is still capable of battling."

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