Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 4: Price of Power

Umm," a soft groan escaped from my mouth as I gently open my eyes. My body was...it was burning as if someone was branding my flesh with a piece of hot iron. I screamed, hoping someone could help. Clawing at my eyes and cheek, I wailed, trying to stop the pain but to no avail.

"Emma, this is madness; he is just an infant; to subject him to his bloodline awakening is madness. You will kill him," a loud shout echoed out, causing me to lift my heavy head.

I could see my father balling a fist as he stared at me with shame and helplessness, while my mother's chilly expression was shown on her beautiful face.

Yet, for some reason, no matter how much I screamed, they just stared at me. Why? Am I not your child. Am I not your blood. A stream of sweat flowed from my body as my infant form began turning from red to black as the light within my eyes slowly began to grow dark.

Is it my destiny? Is this my new fate...Is darkness the only thing constant in my life? I loathe the dark, I despise...

"Val...I know, but this is for his own good. His body is different from ours; you should have felt it the first time you held him. It's cruel, but I know he will be fine; believe in me, please...Please." Emma softly said as tears wet her cheeks.

Lifting my small body, I could vaguely see her pitiful face, her eyes were bloodshot stained with tears, yet she stood strong, gently embracing me as if I was the only thing that mattered.

"Arsène, forgive mommy, forgive her, I hope you forget this, I truly do," She softly said before stuffing a small object within my mouth.

Unable to react, I felt the foreign object melt from within, flowing down my throat at a rapid rate. However, to my horror, this was...only the beginning as all the darkness from within my eyes vanished.

All that registered was a crimson inferno as I roared at the top of my lungs; my eyes and flesh slowly began burning as a sinister yet familiar voice sounded from within my ears.

"Your second wish has been granted; everything comes at a price...Good luck...Arsène Snow."

Hearing Flama's cold voice, my mind began to twirl as I pushed away from my mother, falling to the floor with a soft thump. Bones could be heard shattering as I kept on wailing. It was not long after massive crimson flames sprouted from my body.

Coiling around me like a sea of vines, mother and father both looked horrified as they watched in terror at what was happening.

"EMMA, WHAT IS THIS," Val screamed in panic as a huge amount of energy flooded the estate alerting all of the guards. Anger and anxiety-filled his eyes as he glared at my flaming form.

Shaking her head mother, tried to pick me up only for the crimson flames to consume her hands. A soft screech sounded from her as she jerked her arm back.

Clenching her chard hands, Emma eyed me, "I'm so sorry, I - i - i- didn't mean for this to happen. This was only supposed to activate your bloodline."

Suddenly my loud wailed went silent as my physical body simply stop functioning, yet the pain did not stop. I could not feel, I could not hear, I could not see, the only thing that remained was the darkness and burning inferno that was me.

The darkness had returned; in my death, you were there, in the womb, you were there, in my dreams, you were there.

I fear you; at every turn, you are there; at the end of every tunnel, you are there. The light will always fade, but your return is always imminent.

I cannot escape, I cannot run, you are always there...I can feel it. Watching over me, as if we are related. Should I still fear you, should I still fear the darkness?

It was odd; ever since I increased my comprehension, I could observe myself constantly watching my moves and another part of myself watching the observer watching me.

As I stared into the darkness of my prison engulfed in anguish, a deep realization awakened within me...I was going mad.

Who would have thought one of the Earth's greatest serial killers was actually going mad, and they say cannibals are already crazy.

Laughing at my own left depravity, I began working on my mind palace, trying to increase the number of thoughts I could register. The pain was slowly fading, but the darkness remained slowly corrupting my thoughts.

There was no sound, no feeling within the darkness, no cold, no heat...It was a Void...A Void of Darkness. My fears of the darkness had vanished long ago; It was my companion now...no, it was my friend...it was me. Something that would always remain.

I was slowly integrating with something that represented me, but just like a fading dream, the darkness vanished, showing me only light.

Opening my eyes, rays of sunlight washed over my face. I could hear a loud gasp as over ten elderly men dressed in white robes began touching my body.

"He-He-He is finally awake; Inform Duke Val and Governor Emma, tell them that his second-born has just awakened from his one-year slumber.

"Close the blinds," I asked aloud, surprising everyone.

Realizing my mistake, I cursed inwardly before eyeing the men, "My eyes are sensitive to light...close the blinds." I repeated again,

Giving me a slight nod, I saw two doctors bow before closing the blinds allowing my eyes to regain some focus. So, it had been a year since I was embraced by darkness. Staring at the many doctors taking my pulse along with a variety of tests, I sighed.

It was not long before I saw her again; my feeling's towards her were quite difficult to explain as I stared her down.

"Arsène-Arsène-Arsène, my baby, your wake," Mother shouted, leaping into my embrace balling her eyes out.

A conflicted light flashed across my eyes as I watched the elegant woman grieving. I didn't know why but tears slowly fell from my eyes...it had been so long.

Remembering her touch, her warmth, I smiled, "Mother," I spoke gently, touching her head. Confusion could be seen on her teary face as she held my cheek.

"You can speak."