Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Hearing all that transpired regarding the Abyss and the Hells, a grave expression brushed my lips. It had only been a week, but it would seem a war far more destructive was on the horizon—Twelve Realms, all gathered together once more, in a city that was once my home.

Pacing round and round, my four souls began racing over various possibilities of survival. In the Bed of Chaos, I had survivability. I had advantages. Now, I don't know what I will have. The Abyss will not help. They can't look like they are biased. Especially Lilith, I don't even think she can take part, can she?

Meeting her curious eye, I frowned, "Will you be joining me?"

"I will be, but Arsene, I cannot interfere as much as you would like. My race is trying to bargain with your younger brother. A feat I can't even begin to understand as I am now. Right now, it's not just us under the radar, but you as well." She solemnly conveyed, creasing her tender brow and tightening her jaw. "Failure is not an option for us. We fail, then your Brother will lose a lot. I need not remind you of the sacrifice he made to bring you back?"

"A child," I remarked.

"The very possibility of conceiving a child." She corrected darkly. "You owe him. You owe them. So spin your weave, and formulate a plan, and I will relay anything I can without heavily interfering. Nothing is off-limits, not when our families are involved."

Sending a long measured stare through the window of the building I resided in, a bittersweet sting ran over my lips. "I need Aldrich. He knows things, not even you Abyssal Fiends are aware of. The Kingdom of Iliah, huh. I wonder what has him so scared."

"Who can say—"

Cut off by a sudden knock, Lilith frowned, and the door was pushed open.

"I have news! The Court of Blood has sent us a letter. Right on time, too. It's good to see you awake. Although the Sect Master is not too pleased." said Talgor sprinting into my room. Tossing me a thin scarlet letter carrying the Crest of what I could only assume is a blood drop.

Peeling away the wax seal, a small card awaited me.

'South of Suxioux, Temple of Droma. Come alone.' It read in scarlet writing bleeding over the card.

Humming in response, I showed Lilith the letter and smiled. "Where are my daughters?"

"They freaked out when they saw you convulsing over the ground. Ty almost lost control. She is now standing outside your door, guarding you." said Lilith as I saw two young dragons' race into my room full of smiles.

"Is Papa looking for us!" said Ty, bright as a summers apple. She, alongside Arkanos, leaped onto my shoulder, raining kisses over my cheeks.

"Best babies ever!" I praised, patting their two small heads. "Come, let's go on one last road trip, then we can leave this... Hey Amilia," I suddenly called after a pause and peered up at my wife carrying a half-smile. "I have a plan. Think you can find Kurt?"

"Finally deciding to be a team player?" She said as I sneered, sending her a soul whisper as not to give away my rather demonic nature.

"I will put a slave mark on that little shit if he can't lower his pride. The one whose pride matters is mine."

Lilith chuckled and nodded, "Fine, I'll get him. Just try not to kill Silven before I arrive."

Noticing the curious eye of Talgor, trying to peer at my letter, a grey arc of lightning shot from my fingertips, setting the letter and card aflame. "Thanks for the delivery, but the challenge was accepted. If the Sect Master asks, tell him I'm taking a shit."

Talgor growled and snorted, "You're a damn ass. Never have I met a man so hateful."

"But the ladies love me." I reminded, finding my words to be awfully true. The struggle is real. Maybe I just can't have male friends that aren't like me.

Walking towards the window, I slid them open, with my two little girls on each shoulder. "Oh, and send word to Karthronig. It seems like we are going to need his help. I hope he is not still angry."

Soaring away, four towering Divine Sense, all seven kilometers in diameter, raced over this cursed city of fish men. A bit woozy by the unexpected surprise, I almost plummeted downwards at the massive amount of random information entering my head.

Maintaining my flight path, three of my split souls began accumulating all this random information I was receiving.

"You had better start using your Soulforce to force a quick adaptation. Once you split yourself again, you don't want to be confused like this," Aegis warned, being a bit helpful.

"Oh! He speaks!" I remarked, narrowing my eyes in the air, "Wanna tell me who Balor is?"

"You know as much as I." He claimed but when silent.

Unsure if he was lying, I hummed, setting off towards the direction of this Temple of Droma. Thanks to my soul being split, processing information was surprisingly four times faster, as was my comprehension. No more would I need to cast spells as there were three other parts of my soul capable of doing it for me.

Cracking a smile, I knew I was close to finishing this Soul Arte. It will not be long before I create an artificial hive for my race, between those they kill and themselves.

"Papa, Ty can sense a few mid gods following us. Do you want Ty to eat them?" She asked, nudging her head into my cheek.

"No need," I said, as I snapped my fingers, creating several clones of lightning of myself; the Dao of illusion and darkness wrapped themselves over my clones as each of us shot off in a hundred different directions.

"Asura! STOP!" A sudden howl raced over the air parting the clouds beneath the water.

'How did I not notice there were clouds beneath the water?' Shaking my head at the irrelevant thoughts, I focused, making sure all of my clones could not be seen with the help of the Path of Abyssal Night. It was a bit of overkill, but I don't need a babysitter.. Not now when I got this Abyssal Festival coming.