Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 253: Second Trial - Prologue

"Well, aren't you lucky?" I sneered, glaring towards the prince, scowling back.

"Lucky? You truly do not understand the hells, do you?" Bael whispered in horror, "We may govern its circles, but we are not its rulers. To fall into its sins is...is... Let's just leave it as that. You will break. None are exempted, even Asmodeus himself.

Gripping my hairless chin, I pondered over his words, "So will you assist me, Bael? Or are you still blinded by your wrath?"

Growing silent for a moment, Bael suddenly smiled, "I shall relay some info. I truly want to see how Sitri breaks you. They say a soul bender will always break under the hands of his soul mate. It will be quite the sight to see you on your knees begging."

Chuckling at his words, I cracked my neck, waiting as he continued. "Sitri is governing over your next trial. Located on the Isles of Yu'drol."

That name again, so I was right. So I have no choice but to walk into a trap unless I want to give up on the question I asked. 'who am I.

"And Sitri has already received permission from Asmodeus to personally descend to create your trial, and he is still there." Said Bael.

Gulping down in fear, I shuddered, staring at the crimson mirror, "Why does Sitri think I will visit the Isles of Yu'drol." I asked, feeling there were far too many strings going on regarding this mysterious place.

"Have you heard of Astrid, the Fallen Goddess?" Bael uttered in a menacing tone as I trembled at the name, "From the looks of it, it would seem you are already in his scheme. After he is done with you, Arsene, the only path left for you will be Yu'drol."

"The Nines is helping him!" I yelled as bael shrugged,

"Probably, but does it matter? Once you land in Yu'drol, be ready to face those gods. This will not be a fair battle Arsene. Sitri is a man of madness and cruelty. Tragedy follows him with every step, be ready to lose something, boy. If you haven't already."

"Yur...No, she is safe." I weakly whispered as the howls of baels laughter began to echo through my skull,

"It has already begun. We shall meet once more Arsene Snow within the Lands of Yu'drol."

Watching as the bloody mirror turn to ash, fading away like a mist in the winds. My gaze slowly began to turn sub-zero.

Pushing my connection to Lilith, I spoke, "Sitri has made his move; where are you!"

Waiting for a few seconds, Lilith's connection began to grow stronger as her soft, gentle voice echoed within my soul, "The Abyss... I... Ummm, how long has it been there?"

"The abyss? It's been four months. The hell have you been doing?" I asked in a worried tone as Lilith's connection grew silent.

"...Ummm... I can't say. But I will need a few more months; I am... researching something." Lilith weakly said as if she was lying.

"Research?" I hummed in amusement, "Not study or comprehend. So it's either something that has nothing to do with the abyss, or you found a strange artifact within the Depts."

Smirking, I rolled my eyes, "Whatever, anyway, I do not want you to come to the Yu'drol with me! The will of the Nines cannot reach you in the abyss, but..."

"No, I will be joining you, Arsene. I will explain later!" Lilith quickly said in a hurry as the connection suddenly dropped. Scrunching my brow, I sighed.

"What is that girl doing?" I whispered as I looked down through the clouds towards the large root of the world tree. " But why did Ygg neglect to mention Sitri but told me about Solomon?"

Smiling at the game going on, I fell from the heavens towards the world tree. Blasting through the clouds, my clothes grew damp before drying as my body continue to crash down.

Coming to a quick halt a few centimeters above the ground, "Ygg, why not tell me about the Isle of Yu'drol. Or do even you not understand what has been happening?"

Laughing in a demonic tone, I turned around, taking my leave as bloodlust began to overflow from my body. Trust not even your reality, for it's merely an illusion of your perception. Remembering the similar words of Gabriel, I entered my empty room sitting in the lotus position.

Closing my eyes, my spirit was suddenly transported into a large castle located within the depths of my blood. Staring at the Infernal Palace that held all the information of the Orginal Bael, I took a large step in appearing within an infinitely long library. No matter how far I stared, the pillars of knowledge held by bael flowed endlessly further than my eyes could take me.

"Fuck that, finding anything here would take years!" I yelled in annoyance, "bael, you asshole, you truly are a greedy bastard!"

THinking for a while that there may be an AI controlling the Infernal Palace, I spoke, "I wish for books that can absorb the Lightning of Tribulation, turning it into your own power."

<3,000 souls>

Clenching my teeth at the robbery, I bitterly nodded, "Take em "

Watching space twist, my body was suddenly transported somewhere within the Infernal Libary. Staring at the billions of books, all with the heavenly emblem of Lilithning upon them, I felt both happy and annoyed.

"You truly are a greedy bastard," I whispered in a hushed tone, "Give me the best out of all these that matches someone who can adapt to anything. Just take the souls; I don't want to know the price."

Crying inwardly at the large chunk of souls that quickly vanished, my heart trembled as I glared at the misty book within my sights.

Clenching my eyes, I sighed, "Bael, I hope you are being tortured for what you did. No wonder Lilith said not to trade anything within this realm. Take the souls," I weakly said as the knowledge of the Infernal Lightning filled my mind.

Infernal Lightning - Summon the Hellish lightning from the depths of hell. By absorbing various forms of Lightning ether from creation, the Arte user will gather the Ether of Infernal Lightning.

"I like how I was only able to read the description after buying this arte. Is this another way of you trying to fuck over the younger generation, Bael? Guess it worked out for me. This was not really what I was looking for, but it works."