Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 332: The Infinite Journey - Dao Cycle

Descending into the furnace room, an intense heat assaulted all of my senses, threatening to sear my very flesh. However, I merely ignored it, pressing on without concern.

Standing over a hundred feet and meters, I saw a massive furnace with black flames burning hotter than the stars. They were coiling like serpents releasing deep dark embers that seemed to sear even space around them. Something I had not thought possible here.

"You returned at the right time, my friend; we were able to hold the flames for a few years, but after you left, they grew out of control, with the power of gods fueling it, the flames began to melt and burn the darkness of the Shadow Realm. This furnace will not last. " Said Hephehestous in alarm, covered with sweat pouring from his brow and back. "We are giving up on the furnace, Arsene, and you must act as our new furnace."

Plunging my palms within the flames to test the waters, a new fear began to press against my core feeling the pure divinity being consumed like food. My Breathing grew heavy and dark. Willing the flames of hellfire to begin compressing. I felt my very soul start to shiver as I placed my other hand in haste.

Groaning, my sight began to tremble as darkness began to threaten my vision; however, I would not allow it. I was the lord of my darkness, and no other shall take away my consciousness. Not even me!

"AAAAAAAHHHH" Screaming out in anger, the darkness vanished in a sense as I began to compress the flames. Focusing my everything to its limit, I prayed that the gift my sister gave me was truly powerful, hoping my comprehension was all it was.

Pulling out the flames from the furnace, I groaned, turning to look at Baphomet, Tang Feng, Hephestous, Adrienne, and a face I did not recognize staring gravely at the flames within my hands.

"Arsene, its process will take ten times longer than before," Hephestous bitterly said, staring cautiously at the flames within my palm. "And the chances of this weapon being formed is even lower. We need to work slow, in hopes of not killing you in the process.

"Then what will that look like then?" I forcefully asked, holding the flames together into a ball.

"For us, it's nothing but you. This process will take maybe a Dao Cycle to complete. You know how long that is, correct? It's when the heavenly cycles die and change into something new. Most things will be reset, like weapons and other artifacts, and it's the limit most gods can live through."

"Then what's the problem?" I inquired, "I am immortal till someone kills me, and your legacy keeps you alive."

"It's a big problem," Adrienne explained in a heavy tone, "First off, your willpower. How long do you think it will last? You are not all-powerful if—"

"I will stop you there, this is my main body, and I holster all the souls I have killed. And I can afford to use one of the two angelic souls I have. My willpower will last; it has too. Or did you forget I also have an abyssal body and that I am a prince of Noctem? Will is not an issue! I will do anything!"

Holstering a rather proud expression, Baphomet slowly nodded, "I shall help you, in this Arsene, but I hope you know it will cost you. And it will cost you dearly."

"And I will pay it, leave the boy Master," Adrienne lightly whispered, startling me. Bowing towards me, she smiled, "I am a resident of Noctem; I can see it but never touch it. I truly hope I can return one day, alongside the Prince of Night."

Feeling the heavy aura of loyalty, I nodded, "I will, you... You are a part of Mother, and a faithful, no loyal child of hers. I will help you regardless, Adrienne." I uttered from the bottom of my heart. I owed Tenebrae more than I could repay. She had few children that I knew. The fact I am meeting so many means something.

"Good, can we move on? You monster to scare me, and I just want to return to my work." Siad, the man I believe to be Khronos, the god of time, "Just call me, Aion. Many seem to like to confuse me with the King of the titans. it gets confusing."

"Why are you here?" I asked, feeling the flames of hellfire getting harder by the second to contain.

"You have been trying to wield the flames of hellfire for almost three hundred years. The God of Fire said he needed two Gods of Time. One for him, who is me, and Adrienne, who will be taking care of you." he explained, but my focus quickly shifted back to the flames growing out of control.

Gritting my teeth, I did not allow my sense to dull the flow of time or any other senses. I needed to hear what they were saying to make changes to my flames at any given moment.

"Arsene, can you take out the dagger?" Baphomet asked; however, I did not respond. I could not as large veins began to appear upon my head as forced my will in. Smirking at me, he chuckled, "Ring Bring to me what Arsene holds; I shall not ask again!"

A little startled by the ring of bael activating on its own, I made a quick note of such a flaw.

Holding the dagger within his hands, he frowned, "I gave him this dagger; it will seem fate has touche you. How strange, it should not." He said, placing the abyssal dagger into the condensed flames of my hellfire.

"Now is where things begin to get tricky, Arsene. You will have at least a million years till the dagger melts. We will lay down the formation to keep the Abyssal Inscription from being destroyed. All you have to do is keep flames in check. It cannot grow hotter or weaker less you risk damaging the Abyssal Dagger Inscriptions. Dull your sense of time; we shall wake you. Your torment has only just begun. Get your rest; we have a long journey. "

Trusting the God of Fire, my mind slowly fell into the flames of hellfire. Watching the abyssal dagger resisting the fire, I chose to ignore it. That's how people grow insane.

"Flama, are you there?" I subconsciously asked, knowing he would not respond, "You once said you were watching through my eyes. Well, forgive me for this. It looks like we will both be tormented here. However, I will find the infinite knowledge that flames of hellfire once held. "

Tormented or not, I will learn. This is the perfect opportunity to find this knowledge you once said was within me. I will learn everything. Lilith looks like when we meet again; my Dao will finally be higher than yours. Unless something like Abyssal Dao exists. God, I hope not, its time I finally kick my wife's ass!

"STOP SMILING AN FOCUS!"