Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

I had no time to worry over my injured soul as I bent over, dug a small hole in the dirt, and pulled out a holocube. Something all of my people should be doing right now. In war, communication was key to victory. I needed a network that allowed me to receive messages. Taking the time to make sure the hole wasn't deep, I dropped the holocube and re-covered the hole.

"There," I said, summoning my personal Holocube. Witnessing a network was slowly being built, dozens of messages were slowly transmitted informing me of positions and various locations of interest. But most interestingly, I saw a report regarding someone claiming that our souls had been marked upon entry.

p Returning my Holocube to my soul space, I released a deep breath and narrowed my eyes over the serene forest enveloping me. It had gone silent, really silent, all of a sudden.

"Who goes there," I asked calmly, summoning the Spear of Pestilence, my gaze surveyed the bushes, trees, and luscious grass when the glint of a small dagger darted towards my head. My lips curled, and my off-hand swiftly moved, catching the Kuni of all things with ease; my brow furrowed, and I whipped towards the source. I Weaved through the bushes and dense trees; my eyes locked coldly onto a young boy with long black hair, crimson eyes that carried a familiar glow, and a foreboding presence.

"Invader!" The boy shouted, drawing another Kuni from his waist. Anger flashed over his eyes, and he charged. A mere mortal was rushing at me. A boy barely at World God had charged at me, a god.

Holding my gaze, the Kuni in the boy's hands around the age of twelve slowly turned to dust as my bloodline growled, bearing its fangs, a horridly cold pressure descended, freezing this child of the abyss in place.

"This is not your first time; it doesn't appear to be your first time seeing an outsider. Who else have you seen, boy." I asked calmly, a little surprised I could not see this child's name, struggling to move, my spear arced through the skies landing over the boy's neck, drawing a slit of blood, his struggles came to a swift end, and fear settled in place of his defiance. " I will not ask again."

"MOMMY!!!!" The boy cried.

I blinked away in disbelief. And my gaze whipped towards a powerful surge of abyssal qi ripping through the air. Darkening the skies, I felt the power of a God piercing through the forest. Moving at a frightening speed, the glint of an azure saber arced at almost impossible angles. I thrusted out my spear with such ferocity that all of the vicious arcs of blade light shattered like shards of glass. My spear tore through the Low God's shoulder, skewering her. A cry of anguish left the mother's lips while the boy howled in panic.

"Are you really from the abyss? What happened to 'Into the Abyss?" I sought out, arching my hand, letting the path of Abyssal Night run through my hands into a small black flame that hovered just above my palm.

The child's eyes, alongside the rather alluring mother, who was fitting out that loose robe rather well, eyes grew wide like the stars. "You gonna attack, or do I have to kill you two?"

"You're not an outsider?" Said the Mother.

"Well, I have been in the deepest part of the abyss," I slightly joked, reminiscing of the last time I had her booty. Clearing my throat, I explained, " I know your queen, Lilith Snow. I am Arsene Snow."

"Really?" She said, and I slowly nodded, unsure if she was kidding. "Really?' She repeated with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Mother! You cannot trust him," The boy I had dismissed cried. Almost screaming out in agreement alongside the boy, I could only sigh, knowing these people were sure to have problems in the future.

Summoning my sigil that had long since fused with Lilith, a regal force flowed aimlessly over the air. Removing my spear from the mother, who reeled in pain as I did, the two of them, mother and son, fell to one knee in reverence.

"My King," They said in unison.

Dismissing my spear, I studied the mother dripping blood over her clothing and then at the boy peering up with a sparkle.

I might have to separate these abyssal people if they began to spawn in my realm. That innocence is rather disturbing; I guess when you live as a hive, you simply trust everyone. How strange at least they don't stare at me in disdain like Julius, that self-righteous bastard. I can't wait to fuck him up.

Finally nodding, I played along, " Yes, so I will ask again. Did you capture or meet another invader?"

Clenching her shoulder to stop the flow of grueling blood, the flame in my hand sprung onto her wound, sucking all of my divinity, acting as a poison making sure healing wasn't possible. I allowed this woman to heal without issue.

"Thank you, My King. But to answer your question, we have indeed captured some people. Our leader, who is a battle king, has fought and defeated three women. They were defeated quite easily, especially with the soul damage they sustained when we felt them arrive on our domain."

So Lilith didn't make them as defenseless as I thought.

"Do they look like this," I asked, creating a virtual image of Freya, Zanris, and Ezra? The female amazon nodded, peering up with swirling scarlet eyes.

"Yes, m'lord."

"And your name?"

"Rena, m'lord," She said, blinking in wonder.

Not bothering to glance at her son, I beckoned her to rise, "Take me to your village."

"Yes, my lord," She said, taking her son into her hands. She dashed away while I gave chase. Making sure to keep a watchful eye, I could not help but notice a few cold eyes glaring from a distance, but I made no point to strike. These people were of a single mind, or at least that is how it should be. I have no idea what Lilith did.

Hours later, under the glaring twin's sun, sweat poured from my head as the familiar heat in my stomach burned. We arrived before a large fortress, surrounded by several watchtowers, all guarded by several men and women of various races, holding one thing in common. They were part of the abyssal bloodline.

"Lower the bridge!" Rena thundered.