Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 97: Blood Hall

Taking in a deep breath of demonic Qi, I frowned as I opened my eyes. All the Yin qi I gained from Isaella seemed to have done nothing. I have absorbed one hundred percent of it yet, nothing. Aside from my dantian growing stronger, I haven't seemed to reach a limit. It wasn't a bottleneck, but rather my dantian was just absorbing more and more Qi without end.

"Arsene?" A soft, gentle voice called.

Turning to Yura, I nodded, stretching my body as I felt the annoying rays of sunlight against my face. Clitting my tongue towards the sun, I could see Yura giggle as she pointed towards my Dantian.

"You're a Variant now; we take in far more qi than others." She patiently explained, "Don't worry about cultivation. Just study the manuals you received from Drar'ethiul's realm or study your bloodline."

"I spent last night reading Arte manuals, but it will take a few months. Time I don't have." I begrudgingly said. "There are millions of books."

Touching her chin with a cute smirked, Yura, replied," then study your bloodline; you hold the blood of an Arch Demon and Arch Devil. Devils are known for their intelligence and innate ability to speak and write in any language. I'm sure there is bound to be a way to absorb all your knowledge at a quick rate."

"Soulforce, Artes, Cultivation, Body Cultivation, Enchanting, Formation, Spells, now bloodline...I am so fucked; this is so stupid. How the hell am I suppose to learn all this shit."

Shrugging her shoulders, Yura suddenly grew solemn, "I sensed a demonic presence last night. You need to be careful. Drar'ethiul's Realm only had a few varieties of demons, but we almost died. Be careful when you travel. Cultivation means nothing when someone is at the same level as you."

"Oh, you make it sound like you will not be there with me." I jeered, drawing closer as the scent of jasmine entered my nose. With a quiver, she gazed up towards me as I held her cheek, "WIll you be leaving?"

"..."

"..."

"Yura? are you there," I asked as she simply stared, a hint of drool flowing from her mouth.

"y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y yes," she stuttered as she pushed me down to my knees in a hurry, "Get in the lotus position. "

Smiling as I fell, I shook my head as I held her soft hands, "Yura? Are you Ok? You look a little red. You know I'm a doctor, right? I could give you an examination free of charge."

Hearing my words, Yura could practically be seen steaming as I pulled her down into my arms. With an embrace that filled my mind with bliss, I could feel her heartbeat thumping against my chest as she looked into my eyes.

"Ar"

"Sene," I corrected as I held her close, my gaze never leaving hers, "Are your eyes."

"Yes, they are real, the only thing that never changed." She whispered as her hair turned to silver. A cool, comforting sensation filled me as I felt an odd energy rising from between us.

It was not our qi but rather Soulforce as we just stayed still, feeling lost in the moment. "Focus on your blood." she softly said as she rested her head against my chest. "Your blood holds everything."

Blood? You are my focus, only you. Why must I...Blood? Blood? Demons Devils. IT was not intentional, but her words were like those of a siren, making me powerless to resist as I fell deep in crimson.

My entire world was suddenly consumed with blood and death, pain and suffering as an eternal realm of damnation appeared before me.

"Child of my Blood," An ancient, decrepit voice sounded as a blurry figure materialized before. "Welcome to the Halls of Blood."

"Here lies all the infinite knowledge I collected before I passed down my name. No other king as ever collected more than me, for I was the being of infinite knowledge." He proclaimed as his arms rose high in the air expecting me to fall to my knees in worship.

"...Ok..." What the hell did he want me to say? The time of fear was over; honestly, I have met with such being too many times. Truck-Kun, Gabriel, Flama, Bael, and myself. Being of your level really doesn't scare me anymore.

"..."

"..."

"Do you not want my knowledge?" he asked with a sinister smile. "It's all for the take; all I ask is that you..."

"I'll pass. I will not deal with demons or devils. You are all smart and better in schemes than the current me? I can collect knowledge on my own, it will take more time, but it can be done."

"..."

"..."

".."

"Ummm, so how do I get out of here?" I asked, looking around at the blazing inferno. "Is that the way?"

Suddenly light laughter filled the blazing inferno as Yura appeared, her eyes glimmering with dark clouds as she looked at what I can only guess was the first Bael.

"A monster of the Abyss," Bael wailed in shock?

"Its daughter actually, Bael." Yura exclaims in a tone of voice I had not heard before, "So this is your library? Asmodeus has been quite intrigued, looking everywhere for it. "

Turning towards me, Yura leaped into my arms as she looked up with cat-like eyes, "Hi, my name is Lili, short for my real name Lili..."

"NOOOOO!!!!" Yura screamed, covering her mouth. Staring dead at me, she pointed at me with trembling fingers, "Forget what you heard and saw."

"Ummm, what did I just see?" I asked, utterly confused? Yura mannerism was a little different from before, yet they held the same vibe except wilder in nature.

"Leave! you can't be here," The original Bael exclaimed, "Only those that hold my blood are allowed to enter."

Dark cloud slowly consumed Yura's eyes as she turned to Bael with a sneer, "So what, your very title means nothing before me."

Beal seemed to tremble in fear or many annoyance as he sighed in defeat like so many others beforehand, "Arsene, you will be permitted access like other holders of my library all be it the first layer." He said as a bright light flash bringing me back to the real world.

Feeling the thumping heartbeat against my chest, I pushed Yura down as I gazed deep into her eyes from above. A shiver ran through her body as I smile, "Lili,"

"Yes," she weakly said, the dark clouds from before gone as she took a peek at me. "it...its a nickname Father and Mother gave me."

Humming with a little victory, I peered into her eyes, "So, what's your name?"

"Y-y-Y"

"Hmmm, I don't think so. I am not a mortal anymore, and I'm sure the other personally will blurt it out sooner or later." I whispered with a demonic smile as I took pleasure in watching her squirm. Yura or Lili could easily break free, but we were both somehow enjoying this little game. It was exhilarating.

"Lilith,"