Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Will that be all," Lady Tamly, the local herbalist, asked through long-winded breath. "I wouldn\'t want your hulking young friend to go into remission." her aged lips grew arched. "It\'s rare to see young people take care of someone so injured these days. You must be a keeper."

Cheek burning, I hid my face beneath my hair, "Aunty, please stop." I hurriedly sang, handing her ten credits before running away from that small hut into the blinding rays of the seven suns hitting my flesh.

It was already afternoon. That was the only time of day I would see the sun flooding the skies with its light. I swore this was one of the most amazing sights I\'ve ever seen. Seven Stars and Five moons. Such a strange world.

"Mrs. Lionheart," Came a calming voice from behind. "Are you, by chance heading out for lunch?" Feigning a smile, I turned and caught sight of a young man in the local sect\'s robes, carrying the crest of the white rose. "It would be my honor to—"

"I\'m sorry, but I\'m only in town because of my… husband. His injuries relapsed," I said, forcing the words out of my mouth, hoping Elgen didn\'t pick up on anything. Calling him my husband made my stomach bubble and my skin crawl with disgust. The mere mention of his name would make me feel sticky and… rancid.

Elgen flashed me a frown that vanished in a blink of an eye as he tried to maintain his crooked smile. Apparently not aware enough to know how ugly he looked at this moment. A shame because he was handsome, just too weak for my taste.

Far too weak.

"A shame, then." He added softly, "Perhaps another time."

"Perhaps," I said, moving on my way on foot towards the manor I built for Arsene and me a few years ago when he just appeared. Pushed out from the darkness, he landed face first before me on Iluthtath.

Gods, I still don\'t know where I am. This world is just too massive. Even with my divine sense, it\'s almost like I see nothing.

Holding onto the herbs to mend that bastard of his injuries, I hurried back through the foyer to Arsene, where he sat covered in bandages.

I\'d been walking for about a cycle, and he just appeared. Thank god this town was close by, or I\'d have no idea how to find the herbs necessary to help him.

Gods, what is wrong with me? Why am I even helping him? It\'s not like he would have died if I left him in the forest. He\'s the supposed Monarch of Darkness. The night would have protected him.

"When are you going to wake?" I said, cursing beneath my breath, drawing close to his side. "I\'m tired of watching over you."

"Is that so? Your words cut deep, Professor." Said the weak voice of Arsene, sending tingles dancing along my skin.

Snapping my eyes to meet the devilish glint his eyes carried, I frowned. "You\'re awake. Good, I can leave."

"Are you still mad?" He softly said, closing his eyes, "It\'s been a cycle and a half. How long is a cycle? A Googol? I gave you a good life while Lilith has given you such power—"

"I had family, Arsene. I had friends. Tell me, how many friends do you and Master have?" I paused, clenching my fist, as his scarlet eyes opened to meet mine," you are a monster and the biggest regret of my life."

He smiled… This bastard actually smiled. "Oh, my sweet Professor, your words continue cutting me deep. You have sisters and a brother. You have a new family. What good are friends in the face of a family?"

Teeth clenching, I lunged, snatching him by his gauze near the neck," You sick bastard! You killed those I love. My students… Elsa is always with Eroma, and Ava spends most of her time with Julius. What family do I—"

"So you\'re lonely?" he mused, the arch line of his lips rising. "Come now, Victoria. If you needed family, I would have offered to revive them. Same with Lilith. We have the souls… In fact. I can bring them back right now. You\'re the one who never asked. You are a mid god, about to be a high god. Don\'t blame me for killing mortals that you can easily resurrect. It\'s not like they are Soulbenders. You\'re of the Abyss. You can do just about anything."

"You think it\'s so easy? How much blood is on my hands, how much—"

\'Gods, you\'re dull. Does it matter? Don\'t tell them. Stop making excuses, and let me go. I\'m still injured from shattering the Gates to Iluthath."

"I\'m leaving." I coldly snapped, releasing him in a huff.

"Nope. you\'re going to help me." He said, pausing my steps. "Lilith, put me in charge, and honestly, I think it\'s time we address your anger towards me. Personally. I think it\'s sexual frustration."

"..."

"Don\'t get me wrong. I\'m sure you\'ve your ways of releasing stress but come on, Victoria, enough is enough. And as your Master\'s husband, it\'s my job to ensure—"

"Arsene Snow," I snapped, gritting my teeth so hard the tang of blood spilled throughout my mouth. "You\'re not too injured for me to kick your ass."

"Professor. Are you threatening me? Don\'t you think a personal lecture will be better?" He said, and I could just feel his hormones rising.

\'Thinking with your dick again?"

"Only when it comes to you."

"That\'s not a pick-up line. It\'s disgusting."

"Then why are you smiling?"

"I\'m not!" I spat, crossing my arms, "When the hell are you going to get better?"

The smile over Arsene dimmed a little," Ezra is in trouble." he suddenly said, "I don\'t know how she was captured, but before I left the Palace of Night, I saw a grim battle she lost. She\'s gravely injured."

"Not my problem."

Arsene stared at me, his gaze so deep I suddenly found myself a few paces away. "You know Ezra is your Lady\'s sister, right?"

I paused and bowed my head, "I\'d forgotten. "

"Asmo and Levi are dead. And the Hells will need Ezra. We can\'t afford to lose her. We are currently in the Eben Forest, and Ezra\'s location is… oh, look at that, I am good. Two hundred kilometers away."

"H-How do you know this?"