Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Turning my robes wrapped tightly around my upper body to ash, I stood my ground, gripping Lord Gu's staff. Around me laid nothing but debris that hovered in the air at the rising power. Crackles of lighting raced, emitting thunderous booms over my body.

Wrapped in the glow of crimson winds, the scent of blood filled the air, turning my lighting a deep shade scarlet. Lifting my finger that held onto Lord Gu's cane, my crest flashed over the tip as I chanted the incantation, coldly," Spear of Lightning,"

Releasing a tier-three spell I obtained on Midgard, Gu' leaped away in shock as a sinister beam of scarlet tore from my finger pierced through the air, forcing Gu to block. However, just as he did, a cold glint flashed through my mind as my crest appeared just under his feet.

Repeating the same Circle, shock overtook his eyes as he barked, "You hold a crest!" releasing a massive gust of divinity, destroying my tier three spell ready to skewer his body.

"You done testing me?" I calmly asked this man, who I believe to be an empyrean god.

The old man frowned and nodded, "Do forgive me, Young Lad, but who is your Master? That scarlet glow. Who gave it to you?"

"It's one of the two bloodlines Artes I hold, and my Master is on Alos as we speak. She is enjoying tea with Her highness the lady Yu Lan." I said with a giddy smile, "If you would like to meet her, she is there."

"Your Master is a woman?" He oddly said as I nodded, confused by what he meant.

"Lucky lad!" He cheered, glancing up at the clouds with remembrance. "Don't let your respect cloud your judgment. I remember when I shagged my Master during my youth. Those were the days!"

My brow twitched, and my jaw dropped. This old man was a damn pervert.

"Sure..." I hesitantly stressed.

"Sure, my ass, you're about a hundred years old; get your dick wet a bit." He insisted as I could only think of an old version of eroma. What the hell is this world coming to.

Stretching a flimsy smile, I could only nod, although I agreed. I'm just waiting for Levi to show. I have been wanting that for a while now—screw Baphomets warning. Booty is life!

"I cannot judge your battle prowess, but that glow terrifies me," He said solemnly, losing his earlier glee. "Such a bloodline, Arte is horrid, but what is the price?"

Creasing my brow, I frowned and shook my head, "I don't know. It was a casual skill I always used. I became a god a year ago, and I have not gotten in a fight where I needed to use it. So the price shouldn't be large." I said, pulling another robe from the Ring of Bael.

"I see," He muttered, pulling out a transparency crystal the size of a marble from his Spiral Ring and tossing it to me. Catching the small crystal, a white glow appeared to my surprise.

"Keep it. This crystal is known as the Crystal of Demise, and it is used to show your debt. White means you have none or barely have any. A green means good, orange you're pushing it, red your trouble, and black you are in heavy shit."

Tracing my fingers over its surface, I eyed the transparent crystal glistering a warm white aura and nodded while he continued, "For now, I will meet with your Master, for obvious reason. You don't mind, do you?"

Resisting the urge to scuff, Lord Gu's sharp gaze focused. "Can't say I do, not like I have a choice. Master is in a good mood as of late, so you are in luck."

"And her name?"

I chuckled and shook my finger, "You ask too much of me. What type of disciple would I be if I gave you her name? A name is a weapon."

"You got a mouth on you." He sharply challenged, "But do you know what makes us Holy Swords feared?"

"I would assume this realm." I guessed, having no inclination what he meant.

"Lies and deceit, Asura." He claimed as my lips grew contemptuous. "We train our souls each day to challenge the sins of the world. The war of Devils and Demons changed us. This Sect was founded in order to defend ourselves against their kind."

"What is your point?" I calmly responded, noticing the suspicion in the air. "Would you like me to make an oath claiming I am no devil? You are quite presumptuous."

I was sure he was faking it. I was no demon or a devil. Shadowfell's are a new race; even if they have some formation, I didn't sense. It should have found nothing.

"Maybe, but the reason I could not judge your battle prowess is due to it being terrifying high, and only those outside the Bed of Chaos have such high battle prowess." He confirmed, and I chuckled.

"I should be offended, but I thank you for your praise. It's quite fitting for my name. Asura Bloodgrave, the Demon of the Holy Swords."

"Your bragging?" he remarked, flabbergasted.

"Damn right! I wish for power, Lord Gu, and if the Holy Swords cannot grant it, I shall go somewhere else. I am sure many will wish for a genius like me."

Suspicion was a double edge sword. While I am far weaker than Lord Gu, I am sure he only wished to break through this mask. He wanted to see my real self, something few people really wanted. I don't try to hide my sins, but my bloodlust, my need to slit a man's neck open and feast on their blood. I hide that, and I hide it well.

"You are arrogant."

"And that is my right." I proudly said, baring a dark smile.

Lord Gu went silent, and I did nothing to comfort his trepidation. I didn't need to. The Holy Swords, like most sects, would have their disciple prove themselves. No one is just willing to give away trust, it needs to be proven, and only time can give you such a thing.

"We do not swear oaths to the heaven, but upon a soul. Is that a problem?" Gu calmly asked, giving me what seemed like a final trial.

Pondering for a moment, I chuckled, thinking of the Blade in Lilith's possession. Why shouldn't I make it if she can cut away my oath?

"I welcome it.." I charmingly declared, masking my devilish smile.