Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 451: Distance

Cracking seven eggs into the frying pan sizzling with the heart of Sophia cut evenly into small cubes, I tossed in another glob of butter mixed with garlic and herbs. Steering the eggs that were sucking up the juices of Sophia, a loving hummed escaped my lips.

"You can cook?" Kurt, the apparent early riser, expressed.

"Yes, Sir! All this bitch need is mushrooms, which I can't seem to find! Wake up the others, it's the crack of dawn, and Aiza wishes we make it back to the Holy City." I added, unsure if what I said was a lie or not.

Pulling the eggs and steak off the fire, I took a small bite, frowning a bit. It was a little too rich for my taste. While incredibly flavorful, Sophia's flavor was a little too powerful, taking over the taste of the eggs. That was soft, fluffy, and creamy. Guess this is what happens when you cook eggs alongside the heart.

Putting myself a plate, I prayed to myself, 'thank you for this meal. May Sophia forever live within me.'

Munching down on breakfast, a reminiscing flavor appeared whin my mouth, bringing a soothing warmth to my chest. Not caring for the other chosen beginning to gather, I ate to my heart's content.

Glancing up, I chuckled, watching Cleo gobble down my dish like a little monster without grace, licking the plate clean to my surprise.

"I am quite shocked you would even consider eating anything I made for you all. Where the hell is the vigilance?" I could not help but ask, sending a glance towards Yu jing, turning the other cheek with a faint blush.

Didn't her master just scold her about this very thing? And here I thought I was hard of hearing.

Keeping my little secret of my darling Sophia, my gaze suddenly fell upon Lilith approaching in the distance with dark bags under her eyes. There was a weariness in her footprint against the silver sheet of snow.

Snorting, I ignored her as she sat next to me, silently. Glancing at the empty pot, she turned to me but did not say a word.

Meeting her gaze, I could see the faint sorrow oozing from her heart. Her eyes were a bit wet, glistering with beauty under the rays of dawn, causing my heart to freeze.

Rising before I broke, I walked away. I am all for power, but I have learned that power isn't everything in my other lifetimes. Like life itself, it can come and go at a moment's notice. But our lives are different. You only get one.

I can have millions of kids, but I can only have one Lilith... This is such a stupid fight. I hope she learns, or is this even something to learn, or am I being selfish?

Glancing up at the rising sun, the sounds of distance conversation began to die down as I once again approached, ignoring Lilith, who continued to stare.

"Any of you have any idea where we are on the Swords Coast?"

Wiping her mouth clean, Cleo nodded, sending me an appraising gaze, "We are in the southern region of the Swords Coast. The nearest Nexus Gate is about three months journey, six if we take our time."

Touching my chin, I shot a measured stare towards the chosen, "I understand Yu Jing's reason for following me, but what of you all? Why are you all here?"

"Well, Master is currently on the hunt for me for screwing him out of half of his cash." Sigfried carelessly voiced, scratching the back of his head with a great smile. "serves, that bastard right!"

"Did you forget, Sig? We are currently also in some type of test set by the Masters." Kurt solemnly scolded, shooting me a suspicious stare. "I wouldn't doubt if it had something to do with you, Arsene Snow."

Flaring a bit of my aura, the Almighty pressure swallowed the air quelling the tense ambiance bringing only a chilling silence. "Do not speak my name, less you wish us to die. I have many enemies, you know; many of them could kill your masters without issue."

"Which is probably our mission." Cleo indifferently said, betrayed by the cold sweat trickling down her brow like streams, "To keep you out of danger."

Withdrawing the almighty pressure I was beginning to enjoy bullying people with, I hummed, not surprised.

"Sene... Can we talk?" Lilith muttered in my ears.

Taking a step away, I turned my head. "Let's go. Unless you all have any other thoughts on what to do?"

Catching a glance of Lilith glaring, I snorted childishly.

"Hey Lili, let's go on a hunt!!" Cleo suddenly shouted, grabbing her arm, "You guys go on ahead. Us girls need some time."

"Can I pass?" Jing suddenly asked, crossing her arms bitterly.

Chuckling fiendishly, a sharp glint sprung from the depts of Cleo's eyes, "Not unless you want me to post that video of us!"

"You! that implicates you too!" Jing screamed. "You were dancing along with me!"

"So you do wanna come! Good! Let's go then! Later!" Cleo hastily shouted, pulling Lilith, Yu Jing, and Arkanos away with a vibrant smile.

"How suspicious. Think they found something?" Kurt inquired, turning to me.

"At what? It's just wilderness out here. I would be surprised if they found another human."

"Damn right, I have been looking for some bitches for the longest. Having Cleo, Lili, and Yu Jing here all day and night is doing a number on my libido." Sigfried complained, glancing at the fleeting images of the party of girls.

"I know I should be a bit offended, but I think the biggest surprise is that you actually know what Libido is." I laughed, leaping away as a vicious flash of silver sword-light severed the ground in half.

Protecting myself from the debris with the Path of Abyssal Night, I grinned from high up in the air, "Calm down, Sig. I was only jeering."

Grasping his greatsword, he held like a standard longsword in one arm; Siegfried bore a jittery smile, "I have been waiting for this since seven years ago. Come at me, Abbadon. Let's go!

Landing on my feet a few meters, Noctem slithered its way into my hands. "Why not? I could use the distraction, but why not make it let's see, a three-way battle?"

"Are you two forgetting the Mid God?" Kurt reminded solemnly, yet this was the plan. After all, who could blame me if some beast attacked and killed all of Nox's chosen?

Releasing all of my aurae I struggled to contain, the air churned, and the ground withered to ash, "I need the distraction," I repeated, bolting off the bare ground passing through space like it didn't even exist.

BOOOOOM!!